World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
Teen admits stabbing pizza worker but denies intending to kill him
A 15-year-old defendant has admitted stabbing Yemanu Zelka, a 21-year-old pizza worker, in Petah Tikva.
The teen says he did not intend to cause a fatal injury and has asked the Lod District Court to change his charge from negligent homicide to negligent manslaughter.
Zelka was stabbed outside the pizzeria where he worked after asking a group of teens not to use party spray inside.
The group attacked him, and he died in hospital the next day.
The teen says he was carrying a knife and stabbed Zelka once while coming to help others involved in the fight.
Fifteen other defendants have been charged with causing serious bodily harm with intent, while police arrested 19 people in total in connection with the killing.
The court will consider the defendant’s request as the case proceeds.
A 15-year-old defendant admitted in court that he stabbed Yemanu Zelka, a 21-year-old pizza worker, but denied intending to kill him.
His lawyer asked the Lod District Court to change the charge from negligent homicide to negligent manslaughter.
The stabbing took place outside the Pizza Hut where Zelka worked in Petah Tikva, after he asked teenagers not to use party spray inside.
Zelka died in hospital the day after the attack.
His family has called for murder charges against every suspect involved.
- Who
- A 15-year-old defendant admitted stabbing Yemanu Zelka, a 21-year-old pizza worker.
- What
- The teenager admitted stabbing Zelka in the leg but denied intending to cause a fatal injury.
- When
- The court submission was made on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The stabbing occurred earlier that year, on the eve of Israel’s Independence Day.
- Where
- Outside a Pizza Hut in Petah Tikva, Israel.
- Why
- Zelka had asked the teenagers not to use party spray in the pizzeria.
The defendant
Zelka’s family
Charge sought
The defendant
The defendant asked for the charge to be changed to negligent manslaughter.
Zelka’s family
The family demanded murder charges against every suspect involved.
Responsibility
The defendant
The defendant said he did not intend to cause a fatal injury and was helping others involved in the brawl.
Zelka’s family
The family denounced what it called too-light charges against the defendants.
the mistake of my life
siding with the offenders
Zelka was stabbed outside the Petah Tikva pizzeria after asking teenagers not to use party spray inside.
Zelka died of his wounds in hospital.
The 15-year-old defendant was charged with negligent homicide.
The defendant admitted in a court response that he stabbed Zelka and asked for a different charge.
- Defendant’s age
- 15
- Victim
- Yemanu Zelka, 21
- Location
- Petah Tikva, Israel
- Defendant’s charge
- Negligent homicide
- Other defendants
- 15 charged with causing serious bodily harm with intent
Sources
Related news
Riyadh airport hit again after deadly Houthi attack
11 killed and 27 injured in tour bus crash in western Türkiye
Iran says US response to Hormuz reopening conditions is insufficient
Missile attack on Riyadh airport kills 12 and injures more than 300
Projectile hits Riyadh airport terminal in second attack in two days
Attack injures several people and halts operations at Riyadh airport
Indian man dies after Riyadh airport attack, embassy says
Netanyahu seeks investigation into anonymous participants in Gaza documentary
Iran says Oman agreement will not immediately reopen Strait of Hormuz
US forces disable cargo ship accused of trying to breach Iran blockade
Russia condemns deadly attack on Riyadh airport and urges protection of civilians
