Officials said two Israeli embassy staff members were killed in a shooting at the Jewish Museum in the capital of Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, and a suspect was detained.
A man and a woman were shot dead in the Northwest Third and F Street areas, located near the museum, the FBI Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Israeli ambassador said they were a couple about to get married.
Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith said a suspect was found outside the museum before being detained in the event. She said the suspect chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine”.
Smith said the suspect was tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who had no previous contact with police.
Tal Naim Cohen, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, said two of his staff were shot and killed while attending a Jewish event at the museum.
The Israeli embassy did not immediately answer questions about shooters, victims or motives for the attack.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a press conference Wednesday night that there was no proactive threat to the public.
In a post about the Truth Society, U.S. President Donald Trump expresses condolences to the victim's family Condemn the shooting.
“These terrible DC killings are clearly based on anti-Semitism and must end now!” he said in a message about the social of truth. “Hate and activism have no place in the United States.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the incident.
Tal Naim Cohen, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, said two of his staff were shot and killed while attending a Jewish event at the museum.
“We will bring this fallen perpetrator to justice,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in an article on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had briefed the shooting.
“When we have [Metropolitan Police Department] To respond immediately and learn more, please pray for the victim and their families. ” he wrote on X.
Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called the shooting a “degenerate anti-Semitism act.”
Dannon said in an article on X: “The harm of diplomats and the Jewish community are crossing the red line.
District of Columbia Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorneys are in the shooting.
“This incident is about humanitarian aid”
They said that when Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher heard the gunshots, they were inside the museum and a man looked painful.
Carlin said people came to help him, brought him water, thought he needed help without realizing he was the suspect.
When the police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly shouted, “Free Palestine,” Kalin said.
“This incident is about humanitarian aid,” Kalin said. “How do we really help people in Gaza and people in Israel? How do we unite Muslims, Jews and Christians, work together, and really help innocent people? Then, he just murdered two people in cold blood.”
The Jewish Union in Greater Washington said in a statement that they were shocked by the shooting and “mothered the loss of the two people who died in the attack.”
“Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, and all those who have suffered from such tragic acts of anti-Semitic violence,” the Federation said.
