Two Israeli embassy staff members were sh0t and k!lled outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC on Wednesday evening. Authorities say a suspect is in custody following what officials describe as a targeted, hate-motivated attack. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith said officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 9:08 p.m. regarding a shooting near the museum. When they arrived, they found two people, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram, unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead at the scene.The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, allegedly acted alone. Smith said his firearm was recovered. Witnesses reportedly saw Rodriguez pacing outside before he opened fire on a group of four people exiting the museum, including the victims. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where he was detained by event security. While in custody, he reportedly shouted, Free, free Palestine! according to Smith. The victims were attending an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy, confirmed the two diplomats were shot at close range. We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israels representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States, Cohen said. The event was aimed at young Jewish professionals working in foreign policy and featured a panel discussion on humanitarian solutions for Gaza. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attack horrific and said, There is no active threat. She added, We will not tolerate this violence or hate. We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism. We will not tolerate antisemitism. Israels Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, said the two victims were in a relationship and planning to get engaged. The man had just purchased a ring with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem, Leiter shared. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Department of Homeland Security is actively investigating the shooting. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice, she wrote on X.The FBIs Washington Field Office is also involved, investigating the shooting for potential ties to terrorism or as a hate crime. FBI Assistant Director Steven Jensen called it a heinous crime. Israels Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called the shooting a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. In a statement on X, he said, Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. 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.
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