2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington, D.C. taking pictures

[ad_1] Two Israeli embassy employees have been killed in a taking pictures outdoors an occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening, and a suspect is in custody, officers stated.

A person and a lady have been shot and killed within the space of third and F streets in Northwest which is close to the museum, an FBI discipline workplace and the U.S. legal professional's workplace. They have been a younger couple about to be engaged to be married, the Israeli ambassador stated.

Washington police chief Pamela Smith stated a single suspect who was seen pacing outdoors the museum earlier than the occasion was in custody. The suspect chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine," in custody, she stated.

Smith stated the suspect, tentatively recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, had no earlier contact with police.

Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, stated two of its employees members have been shot "at shut vary" whereas attending a Jewish occasion on the museum.

The Israeli embassy didn't instantly reply to questions concerning the shooter, the victims or the motive for the assault.

Mayor Muriel Bowser stated at a press convention Wednesday evening there isn't a lively risk to the general public.

In a put up on Reality Social, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed condolences to the households of the victims and condemned the taking pictures.

"These horrible D.C. killings, based mostly clearly on antisemitism, should finish, NOW!" he stated in a message on Reality Social. "Hatred and Radicalism don't have any place within the USA."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio additionally condemned the incident.

Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, stated two of its employees members have been shot "at shut vary" whereas attending a Jewish occasion on the museum.

<img loading="lazy" alt="The blue and white Israeli flag flies at half-mast in front of a building" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7540707.1747885771!/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_1180/israel-peres-usa.JPG?im=" style="aspect-ratio:1.4585908529048208" data-cy="image-img"/> The Israeli flag flies at half-staff on the Israeli Embassy in Washington, U.S., Sept. 30, 2016. Two Israeli embassy employees have been shot at shut vary whereas attending a Jewish occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. (Gary Cameron/Reuters) Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a put up on X: "We are going to carry this wicked perpetrator to justice."

FBI Director Kash Patel stated he and his staff had been briefed on the taking pictures.

"Whereas we're working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to reply and be taught extra, within the quick, please pray for the victims and their households," he wrote on X.

Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, known as the taking pictures "a wicked act of anti-Semitic terrorism."

"Harming diplomats and the Jewish group is crossing a crimson line," Danon stated in a put up on X. "We're assured that the US authorities will take robust motion in opposition to these answerable for this legal act."

Lawyer Common Pam Bondi and U.S. Lawyer for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro have been on the scene of the taking pictures.

'This occasion was about humanitarian help' Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher have been contained in the museum after they heard gunshots and a person got here inside wanting distressed, they stated.

Kalin stated individuals got here to his help and introduced him water, considering he wanted assist, with out realizing he was the suspect.

When police arrived, he pulled out a crimson keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, "Free Palestine,'" Kalin stated.

"This occasion was about humanitarian help," Kalin stated. "How can we truly assist each the individuals in Gaza and the individuals in Israel? How can we carry collectively Muslims and Jews and Christians to work collectively to really assist harmless individuals? After which right here he's simply murdering two individuals in chilly blood."

The Jewish Federation of Better Washington stated in an announcement that they're horrified by the taking pictures and "mourn the lack of the 2 people killed within the assault."

"Our hearts are with their households and family members, and with all of those that are impacted by this tragic act of antisemitic violence," the federation stated.