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Two Israeli embassy staff were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC, news agency AP reported citing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem announced the deaths in a post on X after the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, which is located steps away from the FBI’s field office in the nation’s capital.

Accused arrested: Police

Later, Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said a single suspect who was seen pacing outside the museum before the event was in custody. The suspect, tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine," in custody, she said. The suspect had no previous contact with police, she added.

Anti-Semitic terrorism

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the US attorney in Washington. Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”

"The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line," said Danon on X.
 

Police offered no details late Wednesday night on a potential motive for the shooting. A news conference was expected later Wednesday. “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”

Trump calls killing "horrible"'

US President Donald Trump called the killings "horrible" and said hatred and radicalism have no place in America. "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL," Trump wrote on the social media platform.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the incident. FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting.
"While we’re working with (Metropolitan Police Department) to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families," he wrote on X.

Netanyahu vows to step up securityat Israeli embassies 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was shocked on Thursday after two Israeli embassy staff were killed in a shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. He said that security would be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world.

(With inputs from agency)

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