Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington

Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead late Wednesday outside a Jewish museum in Washington by a gunman who shouted “free Palestine,” authorities say, with United States US) and Israeli 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 added 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, the Israeli ambassador says.

A video clip circulating on social media showed a young bearded 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 – Elias Rodriguez (30) from Chicago — identified where he had discarded the gun.

The targeted event was an annual reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for young Jewish professionals and the Washington diplomatic community.

“We are devastated that two cherished friends and partners from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed as they left an American Jewish Committee event,” AJC chief executive Ted Deutch says in a statement.

Police chief Smith says officers responded to multiple calls of a shooting near the museum at around 21h00 on Wednesday.

First responders found a man and a woman unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead.

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