French President Sarkozy, Wife Carla Bruni Run Into Plane After Israeli Officer Shoots Himself (VIDEO)

An Israeli police officer fatally shot himself Tuesday at an airport departure ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sparking fear of an assassination attempt and prompting bodyguards to whisk away Sarkozy and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, officials said.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said there had been no assassination attempt on the French leader.

Watch video below from the scene and click here for updates:

Another police official said the shooting was a suicide, while a third said it may have been accidental.

Dark-suited men quickly ushered Sarkozy and his wife up the stairs of their plane. At the same time, security guards with guns drawn rushed Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres toward their cars.

Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, rushed up the stairs ahead of her husband.

The shooting occurred while a military band was playing, and the leaders apparently didn't hear anything.

Story continues below

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The incident was over within minutes, and Olmert boarded the plane to inform Sarkozy what had transpired, witnesses said.

Police spokesman Shlomi Sagi confirmed that a policeman guarding the airport committed suicide just as Sarkozy was about to board his plane.

Officials said he shot himself in the head.

The area police commander, Nissim Mor, said police were looking into the incident.

"We are currently investigating the circumstances to see whether it was suicide or if he accidentally discharged his weapon," he said. "His mission was to secure an area to prevent people from reaching the ceremony."

Sarkozy's three-day trip to Israel was meant to improve relations between the two countries.

French presidential spokesman Franck Louvrier could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone. Another presidential spokesman who was on a separate scheduled flight out of Tel Aviv said he knew nothing about the incident.

Comments

[SpoxLogic]

They must've told him he was going to Iraq. OK, I'll take the burn for that one. However, who knows what was happening in that guy's life. Very tragic and cowardly when someone seems to think that suicide is the answer. And yes, I think that cowards commit suicide. Bigger cowards commit murder-suicide.

[RealityBeatsDenial]

"... I think that cowards commit suicide."

Your empathy for those who may feel so distressed and hopeless in their lives that they kill themselves is overwhelming. Each person's circumstances and emotional state are unique only to them. You're not living their lives - in their heads and emotions. Not saying it's a good option for the survivors - but "coward' is an awfully harsh label. Sad, tragic (as you said), difficult-­for-many-t­o-understa­nd, maybe. But why do you need to label them anyway? Just some compassion - for them and their loved ones - would do just fine.

[NoLove4HillaryAnymore]

This fight reminds me of the fight against slavery in American History. There will never be equality if you are economically deprived. Much more concession by Israel will be required in order to make the Palestinian believers of true peace. The sh$$ we currently have is just political posturing if you ask me. There is no real effort in Israel to make peace with Palestine and vise versa.

[Madrid]

I doubt Huffington will post this, because they censor almost everything. But I will at least make the effort:

There is a very small probability that this is a suicide. What are the chances that an "elite commando" which is what this guy was described as in the Israeli press, decides to suicide himself at precisely the time that the French president is being given a send-off by the deeply unpopular Israeli PM.

Although it may never come out (except by someone like Sy Hersch, and who knows if he still has good contacts in the Israeli gov't), but my bet is that this guy was aiming a rifle at Olmert or was perceived to be aiming his rifle at Olmert, and an Israeli sniper took his head off with a long-range shot.

Suicide does not make sense in this context.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Why not just make the point instead of bashing huffpo and its moderators? There are plenty of blogs out there, if you don't like the rules here go to another blog or start your own.

[PAposter]

It does sound very suspect, I was watching the news when it was reported. They first reported an explosion. The fact that they were all together for Peace Talks, is also very interesting about the timing of this.

[prattvictory]

I agree it doesn't make sense, but:

Sarkozy met with the Palestinians and spoke critically of "the wall" and you think he was attempting to kill Olmert?

Obama was criticized for just wanting to see "the wall" from that the right here has built a smear campaign against him.

Kill Olmert? It was Sarkozy.

[mmmd]

You're a smart person.

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

Suicide rarely makes sense in any context.

The simple fact is we don't know what was going through his head at that moment. Why did he even feel the need to draw his gun at that moment?

Until we have more facts, any conclusions are just speculation.

[JRGris]

I just don't get why if you think that your comment will not be posted that you even look at Huffingtonpost. Lots of people whine about not being posted but I see so much "junk" on here. I find it difficult to believe that much is not posted. If you actually need to see what you write put it on a sticky and stick it on your screen. Save us from the prepost whine.

[DC]

It is strange: a lot of junk is posted on this site and at the same time some posters take time and thought to post something sincere, something thought through. No profanity, no spaming, no flaming others and yet the post would be banned.

Either the monitors allow harmless junk and keep off things they do not agree with, the filters are programed to keep too much out, or monitors are overburdened. Whatever..­..

[majormoderate]

Wait for it.... Here come the barage of anti-Israel comments..­.

[SamEllison]

So much for Sarkozy standing between Israel and those that wish to destroy it.

[rextrek]

France will wake up --soon I hope...and Realize they've Elected themselves a French Bush...but the difference willbe..th­e French WON'T let him remain in power! Unlike America..t­he French gov't is scared of it's people. While here in America, we're scared of Our gov't.

[SwingingFromCenter]

For crying out loud, just arm both sides to the teeth, create a perimeter and let them fight to the death. It's the only way this is ever going to stop.

[BGM1906]

Where's the information regarding the Israeli officer shooting himself?

[neesy08]

was it an accidental shooting or a suicide

[JailNeoconVicts]

Ummm....in­teresting story. Wrong headline.