Letter written by 'L'
Soldier begs for forgiveness for accidentally shooting his friend
In an emotional letter written to his lifelong friend who is now fighting for his life in hospital, soldier 'L' describes the pain he is suffering over his responsibility for the tragedy; 'If only I could switch places with you...The tears don’t stop streaming.'
An IDF soldier from the Kfir Brigade who recently hospitalized a fellow soldier after involuntarily firing his rifle has written an emotional plea for forgiveness and expression of sorrow to his friend who is now fighting for his life.
“I don’t know what to say to you. First of all I am so sorry. I still haven’t come to terms with the fact that you are in hospital because of me,” the soldier—who can only be identified as 'L'—began in his letter.
“I know that no amount of requesting forgiveness can sufficiently express my sorrow. If only I could switch places with you and be there instead of you, wounded,” he continued.
The two soldiers were best friends from childhood, attended the same boarding school and often visited each other's homes when on holiday from the army.
Letter written to his hospitalized friend
“To think that on the same day we were supposed to go out, to laugh, to eat burgers, to smoke a hookah like we always did. I don’t stop thinking about you. You don’t leave my mind for a second. You’re with me all day. I am so sorry. The tears don’t stop streaming from my eyes, even now as I write this letter in the hope that you will read it,” L wrote.
The incident took place two weeks ago when the 19-year-old soldier was wounded on a Saturday afternoon and left in serious condition after a bullet was accidentally fired in his apartment in Tel Aviv.
While the two were discussing the army, L took his gun from underneath his bed to show his friend a new sight scope that had been attached when suddenly a bullet burst out of the barrel and struck his friend in his upper body.
L’s brother, who arrived at the apartment after hearing the gunfire, grabbed a bed sheet and pressed it against his brother’s wound in an effort to stop the bleeding.
“I served as a medic in the army, but this wasn’t easy from an emotional standpoint,” he said. “I know (the soldier) well and he is like a member of our household. When we would visit my brother at boarding school we would also visit him. There’s no way this boy can (be allowed—ed) to die. There’s no way he won’t stay here with us.”
Soldier 'L'
Despite his unending remorse, L was charged with the offense of causing serious injury under aggravated circumstances. His arrest was extended on Saturday until July 19 at a military court in Jaffa.
His lawyer lamented the situation, describing it as a human tragedy. “Two soldiers who are childhood friends. Our client is still in great distress. He and his family are praying for the recovery of the wounded soldier and express their deepest sorrow about the accident.”
Last week, Lt. David Golovenchich, who was accidentally shot and killed by a junior IDF soldier, was laid to rest at Mt. Herzl Cemetery.
