Two Israeli embassy staff killed in shooting near Jewish museum in Washington DC

Two Israeli embassy staff members have been shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC, police said.

The two victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening when a suspect approached a group of people and opened fire, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.

The suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, Smith said.

Police have identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago.

Police at the scene after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum. / Credit: AP

Smith said law enforcement did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the community.

The suspect was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting, walked into the museum after the attack and was detained by event security, she added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that he was “shocked” by the “horrific, antisemitic” shooting.

“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he said in a statement.

Netanyahu said he had instructed Israeli missions around the world to beef up security in the wake of the attack.

The Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said the two people killed were a young couple about to be engaged, saying the man had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the US attorney in Washington and whose office would prosecute the case.

Police at the scene of the shooting in Washington DC

Posting on social media, US President Donald Trump said: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”

He went on to add: “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!’

Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, said he was “devastated” by the scenes in Washington.

“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. I send my full support to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff.”

Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher were inside the museum, where they heard gunshots before seeing a man come inside who looked distressed.

They say people went to help him, not knowing he was the suspect. When police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, “Free Palestine”, Kalin said.