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Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in attack at DC Jewish museum Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in attack at DC Jewish museum
(32 minutes later)
Two Israeli embassy staff were killed outside a Jewish museum in downtown Washington DC by a man who police say shouted "free, free Palestine" after the attack. Two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead outside a Jewish museum in downtown Washington DC by a man who police say shouted "free, free Palestine" after the attack.
The victims, a young couple, were shot while exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, DC police said, adding that the incident appears targeted. The victims, a young couple, were shot while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, DC police said, adding that the incident appears targeted.
The shooting happened at 21:05 local time in an area with numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, including the FBI's Washington field office. The shooting happened at 21:05 local time (01:05 GMT) in an area with numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, including the FBI's Washington field office.
After the suspect, who has been detained by authorities, opened fire, he walked inside the museum and was stopped by security, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said.After the suspect, who has been detained by authorities, opened fire, he walked inside the museum and was stopped by security, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, was seen pacing outside the museum before opening fire on a group of four - killing the couple, Chief Smith said at a news conference.The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, was seen pacing outside the museum before opening fire on a group of four - killing the couple, Chief Smith said at a news conference.
LIVE: Follow breaking coverage of the DC shootingLIVE: Follow breaking coverage of the DC shooting
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter shared at the conference that the couple killed were planning to get engaged. Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter shared at the conference that the couple killed had been planning to get engaged.
Mr Leiter said the male victim had purchased a ring this week and had planned to propose on a trip they'd planned to Jerusalem. The victims' names have not been released.Mr Leiter said the male victim had purchased a ring this week and had planned to propose on a trip they'd planned to Jerusalem. The victims' names have not been released.
"Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem posted on X. "Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice." "We heard gunshots and then a guy came in looking really distressed. We thought he needed help," eyewitness Katie Kalisher told the BBC, referring to the suspect.
JoJo Kalin, a board member of the American Jewish Committee who helped organise the event, said she didn't witness the shooting but felt a "sense of guilt" about what happened.
"I'm not going to lose my humanity over this or be deterred. And that Israelis and Palestinians both still deserve self-determination and [it is] just deeply ironic that that's what we were discussing," she said.
US President Donald Trump suggested the killings were driven by antisemitism.
"These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he wrote on the Truth Social platform.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X: "This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice."
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations called the incident a "depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism".Israel's ambassador to the United Nations called the incident a "depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism".
"Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Ambassador Danny Danon wrote on X. "We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.""Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Ambassador Danny Danon wrote on X. "We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act."
The incident triggered a major police response and shut down several core streets in the city.The incident triggered a major police response and shut down several core streets in the city.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending the event at the museum.A spokesman for the Israeli embassy confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending the event at the museum.
"We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel's representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States," said spokesman Tal Naim Cohen. "We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to... protect Israel's representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States," said spokesman Tal Naim Cohen.
The Israeli ambassador was reportedly not at the museum event at the time of the shooting, US media reported.The Israeli ambassador was reportedly not at the museum event at the time of the shooting, US media reported.
The DC campus of Georgetown University also was temporarily locked down, according to CBS.The DC campus of Georgetown University also was temporarily locked down, according to CBS.
"When we went to leave the cops and security were downstairs and told us we can't leave," said one student, who was on lockdown in their building for over an hour."When we went to leave the cops and security were downstairs and told us we can't leave," said one student, who was on lockdown in their building for over an hour.
"And they are still here telling us we can't leave."
President Donald Trump posted on Truth calling for an end to "horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism".
"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!", his post said.
Ted Deutch, the CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said in a statement that his organisation was hosting the event where the attack occurred.
"We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue," he said.
"At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee posted to X to call the attack a "horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning".US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee posted to X to call the attack a "horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning".
The Capital Jewish Museum like many other Jewish institutions in the US has struggled with security issues amid rising antisemitism.The Capital Jewish Museum like many other Jewish institutions in the US has struggled with security issues amid rising antisemitism.
"Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism," Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz told NBC News in a separate news report before the attack on Wednesday. "Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism," executive director Beatrice Gurwitz told NBC News in a separate news report before the attack on Wednesday.
The museum recently received a grant to upgrade its security in part, she said, because of a new exhibit on LGBT pride.The museum recently received a grant to upgrade its security in part, she said, because of a new exhibit on LGBT pride.
"We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well," Gurwitz said. "And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories." "We recognise that there are threats associated with this as well," Ms Gurwitz said. "And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories."