TWO Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead late Wednesday outside a Jewish museum in Washington by a gunman who shouted “free Palestine,” authorities said, with US, Israeli and other world leaders expressing outrage over the killings.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack in the heart of the US capital, saying: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he said on social media.
Shots rang out on the sidewalk outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington as the venue held a social event for young professionals and diplomatic staff.
The victims were a young couple who planned to get married, the Israeli ambassador said.
Israel’s foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.
Lischinsky was a research assistant at the Israeli embassy, while Milgrim worked for its public diplomacy department, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
A video clip circulating on social media after the attack showed a bearded young man in a jacket and white shirt shouting “free, free Palestine” as he was led away by police.
Police confirmed the suspected shooter walked into the museum after the attack and had been detained.
“The shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody,” Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters.
“Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire.
“After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security.”
She said the handcuffed man — whom she identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago — told them where he had discarded the gun.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, announcing extra security arrangements at Israeli missions around the world.
“Blood libels against Israel are paid in blood — and they must be fought relentlessly,” he said.
“My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were abruptly cut short by a despicable antisemitic murderer.”
Britain, France and Germany were among those who joined in condemning the shooting.