BURSTTwo Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead on Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington by a man who yelled, “Free, free Palestine,” after he was arrested, police officials said.
The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, approached a group of four people who were leaving an event at the museum shortly after 9 p.m. He then fired at close range and killed the two victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.
The suspect proceeded to walk into the museum and was then apprehended. After he was in custody, he shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.
Smith said the suspect was in custody and posed no further threat to the community.
Yechiel Leiter, Israeli ambassador to the U.S., told reporters that the victims were a young couple who were about to get engaged. Lischinsky had purchased a ring and planned to propose in Jerusalem next week, Leiter added.
Israeli and American officials condemned the shooting.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," President Trump said in a statement. "Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Washington, also issued remarks.
“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,” Cohen said in the statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted he spoke to Attorney General Pam Bondi about the incident and was “outraged” by what transpired.
“We are witness to the terrible cost of the antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement. "Blood libels against Israel have a cost in blood and must be fought to the utmost."