[NYPost] Two Israeli embassy staffers were killed and three others injured when gunfire erupted outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, Wednesday night — by a gunman who shouted “Free free Palestine,” officials said.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called the shooting “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” he said on X.
“We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”
One of the slain staffers was a diplomat, NBC 4 reported, citing two sources.
It was not immediately clear if the three wounded were part of the embassy staff.
The gunfire erupted in front of the museum at 575 3rd St NW, near the FBI field office and the US attorney’s office, the outlet reported, adding that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating.
Cops are on the hunt for a man with a goatee wearing a blue jacket and jeans who was last seen on F Street in the Northwest area of the city.
Ted Deutch, the CEO of the American Jewish Committee, told NBC 4 that his organization hosted an event at the museum.
“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,” he said.
“At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said his is working with the Metropolitian Police Department “to respond and learn more,” he wrote in a tweet. “In the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep the public updated as we are able.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro were at the crime scene late Wednesday.
“Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” Bondi tweeted.
Homeland Security Krisi Noem vowed to bring the “depraved” shooter to justice.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC,” she posted online.
“We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.”
The shooting comes amid a surge in antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Washington Jewish Museum shooter yelled ‘Free Palestine’ while being arrested — NBC
[IsraelTimes] The Foreign Ministry says the assailant who carried out the shooting near the Jewish Museum in Washington has been apprehended.
Citing senior law enforcement sources, NBC News reports that the suspect shouted “Free Palestine” while he was apprehended.
It is understood the suspected shooter shouted 'Free Palestine' as he was arrested, which is now being investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
'We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,' Danon said. 'Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.'
The American Jewish Committee was hosting a Young Diplomats event at the museum on Wednesday night, CEO Ted Deutch confirmed.
The sold-out event was touted as a night 'bringing together Jewish young professionals (22-45) and the D.C. diplomatic community.'
The evening was 'dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage', featuring 'appetizers, cocktails, conversations, and a special guest speaker.'
It was scheduled to take place 6.30pm and 9pm, and the shooting occured about 9.15pm.
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Embassy, said the duo were shot 'at close range' as they attended the event.
Initial reports suggested one of the victims died at the scene while another was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Later updates confirmed both victims had tragically died.
Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh said: 'An assassin screamed "Free Palestine!" outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, and murdered an Israeli diplomat and her companion.
Less than 24 hours ago, the Capital Jewish Museum was awarded a security grant amid ongoing concerns about the safety of guests and staff.
'Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism,' Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz said.
'So, we invest a lot of money in security to make sure that we can keep our doors open to the broad public, that this is a welcoming space, but that people are also safe in this space.'
| More from the Times of Israel: |
US officials say both victims of embassy shooting were staffers, were a couple about to get enganged
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, says two of its staff members were shot “at close range” while attending a Jewish event at the museum.
The Israeli embassy does not immediately respond to questions about the shooter, the victims or the motive for the attack, but other officials provide details and say the victims were a couple about to be engaged.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed two Israeli embassy staff members were killed.
“We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” Noem wrote in a post on X.
“We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
Washington, DC, Police Chief Pamela Smith says that “despite all life-saving efforts, both victims succumbed to their injuries.”
She says both victims were exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
“Prior to the shooting, a suspect was observed pacing outside of the museum,” she says, adding that he opened fire at a group of four, killing a man and a woman.
“The suspect chanted, ‘Free, free Palestine,’ while in custody. The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriquez of Chicago, Illinois,”she says.
“The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine’ was a couple about to be engaged,” she says, adding that the man had bought a ring last week with the intention of proposing next week in Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses on US shooting: People brought water to man in distress, only to learn he’s the suspect
[IsraelTimes] Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher say they were inside the Capital Jewish Museum when they heard gunshots outside and a man came inside looking distressed.
Kalin says people came to his aid and brought him water, thinking he needed help, without realizing he was the suspect in the shooting, which killed two Israeli Embassy employees.
When police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, “Free Palestine,’” Kalin says.
“This event was about humanitarian aid,” Kalin says. “How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel? How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.”
…associations with them by deleting articles and pages where he is mentioned.
While being arrested after the killings, Rodriguez shouted, "Free, free Palestine!" 
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