The suspect in the double murder of a couple in Rishon Letzion last week was killed in a shootout with police Saturday.

Yaan Gavrielov was shot dead by Central District Commander Moti Cohen, after a police chase in the central Israeli city of Lod, near Tel Aviv.

The chase began at around 6:30 p.m., when a police patrol spotted the wanted suspect driving in a car. At that point, Gavrielov began driving wildly, apparently in a bid to shake off police, endangering other motorists and pedestrians and ignoring repeated calls by police to halt.

Additional officers were scrambled to the scene as the suspect headed for Lod. Forces waiting for him in the city were alerted to the fact that the suspect was armed and dangerous, and opened fire as he attempted to evade arrest. In the car police found a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber.

Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan hailed the professionalism of the officers involved in the chase.

“I commend the police force, headed by Central District Commander Moti Cohen, on their determined and professional actions,” Erdan said, praising forces for finally “laying their hands on the murderer.”

“Quietly, with determination, while risking (their) lives… they reached him and prevented other innocent casualties .”

Police discovered the bodies of a woman and her boyfriend at an apartment in Rishon Letzion on Wednesday, and immediately launched a manhunt for Gavrielov, the female victim’s ex-boyfriend who had a history of domestic violence and had been reported for threatening her life previously.