2 staff members of Israeli embassy killed in shooting near Jewish museum in DC

WASHINGTON AP Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in the nation s capital and the suspect yelled Free free Palestine after he was arrested police commented The two casualties a man and a woman were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith noted at a news conference The suspect identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event guard Smith commented When he was taken into custody the suspect began chanting Free free Palestine Smith commented Smith mentioned law enforcement did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the society Israeli Ambassador to the U S Yechiel Leiter reported the two people killed were a young couple about to be engaged saying the man had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro who serves as the U S attorney in Washington and whose office would prosecute the occurrence These horrible D C killings based obviously on antisemitism must end NOW President Donald Trump posted on social media early Thursday Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA Condolences to the families of the casualties So sad that such things as this can happen God Bless You ALL In this image taken from video provided by WJLA law enforcement work the scene after two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday May in Washington WJLA via AP Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced he was devastated by the scenes in Washington This is a despicable act of hatred of antisemitism which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered and our immediate prayers are with the injured I send my full sponsorship to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff He added We stand with the Jewish area in DC and across the US America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values Terror and hate will not break us It was not forthwith clear whether Rodriguez had an attorney who could comment on his behalf A telephone number listed in residents records rang unanswered Related Articles Survivors of clergy sexual abuse turn up calls for reforms from new pope s American hometown Lincoln s blood-stained gloves from the night of his assassination among artifacts on auction Fire at historic Black church in Memphis was intentionally set investigators say Why are more shoppers struggling to repay buy now pay later loans M slated for solar projects in Puerto Rico will be diverted to power grid sparking outcry Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher were inside the museum when they heard gunshots and a man came inside looking distressed they reported Kalin noted people came to his aid and brought him water thinking he needed help without realizing he was the suspect When police arrived he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled Free Palestine Kalin commented This event was about humanitarian aid Kalin reported How can we certainly 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 certainly help innocent people And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood Last week the Capital Jewish Museum was one of the local nonprofits in Washington awarded funding from a grant initiative to increase its prevention The museum s leaders were having concerns because it is a Jewish organization and due to its new LGBTQ exhibit according to NBC Washington We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz notified the TV station And again we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington noted in a declaration that they are horrified by the shooting and mourn the loss of the two individuals killed in the attack Our hearts are with their families and loved ones and with all of those who are impacted by this tragic act of antisemitic violence the federation declared AP writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Hallie Golden contributed