Two Israeli Embassy staffers shot and killed out of doors a Jewish museum event in Washington DC on Wednesday. According to Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, the victims are young couple soon to be engaged. “The younger man purchased a hoop this week with the aim of proposing to his girl friend next week in Jerusalem. They had been a lovely couple who came to enjoy a nighttime in Washington’s cultural center,” Leiter said.
Shortly after 9 pm ET on Wednesday, a man was visible pacing out of doors the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, DC, where the American Jewish Committee had only hosted a reception for young Jewish experts in overseas coverage.
Two Israeli Embassy staffers Killed in US
According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, the man approached a group of four people and opened firing, killing a couple. The suspect then entered the museum and detained by event security. While in custody, he chanted “Free, loose Palestine,” Smith said.
Police recognized shooters
The shooter recognized as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, with no prior police record. The attack, which occurred much less than a mile from the US Capitol and broadly condemned by each American and Israeli officials.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered tight safety at Israeli diplomatic missions international, calling the attack a “heinous act of antisemitism” and expressing heartbreak over the loss of the Israeli Embassy staffers.
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