On January 14, Sami al-Jaar was killed during a police drug bust in his neighborhood. Thousands participated in his funeral procession. A police car, which happened upon the crowd, caused an uproar and was stoned. Police forces were called to assist, and shot tear gas and sponge grenades in the cemetery. Sami Ibrahim Zayadna died as a result of inhaling the gas, and dozens were wounded. The death of the two Rahat residents caused a surge of outrage and sparked a wave of protests. The protests against the conduct of the police, as well as the many years of discrimination, led to violent disturbance, which lasted a few days.