Shooting near central Washington leaves two Israeli embassy staff dead
Law enforcement work the scene after two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Two Israeli embassy employees were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, authorities said.
An alleged suspect, identified as a 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was taken into custody at the scene. The Metropolitan Police confirmed he opened fire on a group of four people as they were leaving an event at the museum.
The two were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in the area of 3rd and F Streets in Northwest, a part of central Washington that is about 1.3 miles (2 km) from the White House.
Israel’s embassy in the US has identified the victims as Yaron and Sarah, describing them as “friends and colleagues” who “were in the prime of their lives".
Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives.
This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8FrAccording to police chief Pamela Smith, the attacker had been seen pacing outside the museum before the incident, which occurred just steps from the FBI’s Washington field office.
After firing several shots at close range, the suspect entered the museum where security detained him. Witnesses reported he shouted “Free, free Palestine” during his arrest.
Officials said he was not on any watchlists and there were no specific threats reported ahead of the attack. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
US President Donald Trump condemned the killings on his social platform Truth Social, calling the incident “horrible” and attributing it to antisemitism.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” —President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Z30bjAQOpZ
Israeli embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen expressed faith in US law enforcement and reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding Israeli representatives and Jewish communities.
Attorney general Pam Bondi said she would be doing “everything in our power” to keep the community safe, especially the Jewish community.
The suspect “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” she told the press conference.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog labelled the shooting a “despicable act of hatred” and offered full support to the embassy staff in Washington.
I am devastated by the scenes in Washington DC.
This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.
Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered and our immediate prayers are with the injured.…US attorney general Pam Bondi and Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter visit the scene of the shooting. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the deaths, calling the attack “senseless” in a post on X. “We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” she said.
Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.
We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal involvement in the investigation, urging the public to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts.
The Capital Jewish Museum, which last week received part of a $500,000 security grant, remains under enhanced protection following the incident.
Israel's war on Gaza
The shooting comes amid Israel’s renewed military campaign in the Gaza Strip, part of a war that has inflamed tensions across the wider Middle East.
Israel's actions has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory.
The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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