Two Israeli embassy workers shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington DC | US News
Two staff members working for the Israeli embassy in Washington DC have been shot dead.
The shooting happened on Wednesday evening near the Capital Jewish Museum – steps away from an FBI office.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called the attack “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism”.
He wrote on X: “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.”
Detectives are yet to establish a potential motive for the shooting at this stage.
Pamela Smith, Washington DC’s police chief, confirmed at a news conference that a single suspect is now in custody, and they had shouted “free, free Palestine” while being detained.
He was seen pacing back and forth outside of the museum before the attack – approaching a group of four people, producing a handgun, and firing the weapon.
The two people who died were a young couple about to be engaged, as the boyfriend had purchased a ring with the intention of proposing next week.
“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural centre,” Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said.
Mr Leiter confirmed he had spoken to Donald Trump since the attack has taken place.
And on Truth Social, the president wrote: “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!”
Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem described the attack as “senseless” – and vowed to “bring this depraved perpetrator to justice”.
Initial enquiries suggest the suspect is called Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago who was not previously known to police.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said: “There is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that this horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country.
“I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city.”