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Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead near Washington DC Jewish museum Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead near Washington DC Jewish museum
(30 minutes later)
Police said a suspect was in custody after the shooting near the Capital Jewish MuseumPolice said a suspect was in custody after the shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum
A suspect is in custody after the shooting and killing of two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington near a Jewish museum. A suspect is in custody after shooting dead two Israeli embassy staff outside a Jewish museum in Washington on Wednesday night.
Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem announced the deaths in a post on X after the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, which is located steps away from the FBI’s field office in the nation’s capital. Attorney general Pam Bondi and US attorney Jeanine Pirro were at the scene. The gunman, identified as a 30-year-old from Chicago, approached a group of four people leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum and opened fire, killing a man and woman.
The suspect was apprehended by event security after entering the museum, mayor Muriel Bowser said in a midnight press conference. He was not on any security watchlists, and there were no heightened security threats ahead of the shooting, officials said. Metropolitan police Chief Pamela Smith said the shooter had been pacing outside the museum, which is steps away from the FBI’s field office, before the shooting.
After killing the pair, he walked inside where event security detained him. The suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, police said.
He was not on any security watchlists and there were no heightened security threats ahead of the shooting, officials said. The firearm was retrieved as well, officials said.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the victims were a young couple who were about to become engaged.
Attorney general Pam Bondi, who was at the scene with US attorney Jeanine Pirro, said she had spoken to US president Donald Trump multiple times throughout the night.
Trump condemned the killings on Truth Social “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!”
Spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Washington Tal Naim Cohen said the staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC.Spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Washington Tal Naim Cohen said the staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC.
“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,” she said. “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,” she said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting.FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting.
“While we’re working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families,” he wrote on X. “While we’re working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families,” he wrote on X.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting a “depraved act of antisemitic terrorism.” Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting a “depraved act of antisemitic terrorism.”
Police offered no details late Wednesday night on a potential motive for the shooting. A news conference was expected later Wednesday. Police offered no details late Wednesday night on a potential motive for the shooting.
“We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.” “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”
This is a developing story.