Israel police say guard at Western Wall in Jerusalem fatally shot Jewish man who reportedly shouted "Allah hu akbar"

JERUSALEM Israeli police said a guard shot a Jewish man dead Friday at a key Jerusalem holy site.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a private security guard at the Western Wall "fired a number of shots" at a man who appeared suspicious. The guard told police the man, an Israeli, had his hands in his pockets and shouted in Arabic just before the guard opened fire, Rosenfeld said. The man, in his 40s, died at the scene.

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz and other local media, the slain man was heard shouting in Arabic, "Allah hu akbar," or God is great, just before he was shot by the guard.

CBS Radio News correspondent Robert Berger said the man was also seen going to pull something from his pocket just before the guard opened fire. Berger said police were investigating whether the security guard acted properly or might have been too quick on the trigger.

Rosenfeld said police cordoned off the area after the shooting.

The Western Wall, a remnant of the biblical Jewish Temples, is the holiest site where Jews can pray. The site and the area around it has in the past been a flashpoint for violence between Israelis and Palestinians.