Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead late Wednesday, May 21st, outside a Jewish museum in Washington by a gunman who shouted “free Palestine,” authorities said, with U.S. and Israeli leaders expressing shock and outrage over the killings.
President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, 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.
The shooting comes as antisemitic incidents escalate all over the Western world amid violent pro-Hamas rallies.
Gunfire broke out on the sidewalk outside the Capital Jewish Museum in the centre of 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.
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 shooting and had been detained.
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.
Police identified him as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago.
“I am devastated by the scenes in Washington,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement. “This is a despicable act of hatred, of anti-Semitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.”
