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A man in his mid-40s was shot dead early this morning at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, after he was seemingly mistaken for a terrorist by a security guard.

The Western Wall is the holiest site in Jewish tradition and is located in close proximity to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, making it a potential flashpoint for violence. The shooting occurred soon before 8am local time, as hundreds of Jewish worshippers gathered for morning prayers.

According to media reports, the victim of the shooting shouted the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” as he emerged from an onsite public toilet while reaching into his pocket. Although the phrase simply translates as “God is greatest” it is noted for having been exclaimed by Palestinian terrorists prior to launching deadly attacks.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Reuters that it appeared that the security guard opened fire with his pistol as he suspected that the man was a terrorist, commenting “The fact he shouted Allahu Akbar, that seems to be why the security guard drew his weapon and fired a number of shots at him.”

Ambulance crews arrived on the scene immediately following the shooting and attempted for twenty minutes to resuscitate the man, who was reportedly a Jewish Israeli in his mid-40s. However, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died on the scene. Rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinovitch called the shooting “a terrible tragedy.” Nobody else was injured in the incident. Police have opened an investigation.