Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem announced that two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were fatally shot near the Capital Jewish Museum late Wednesday.
The victims have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sara Milgram.
The incident took place during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The suspected shooter was apprehended at the scene and is said to have shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest.
BREAKING: Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed outside of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said.
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Secretary Noem tweeted: “Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
According to Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lischinsky and Milgram were about to get engaged to be married. They were planning to get engaged next week in Jerusalem.
The attack occurred during a gathering for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum. Witnesses said a man wearing a keffiyeh entered the venue shouting “Free Palestine” before opening fire. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
DC Police Chief Pamela Smith Pamela Smith identified the suspected shooter as Elias Rodriquez, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois.
????BREAKING: SHOOTING ISRAEL EMBASSY PLEASE PRAY
Gunman shouting “Free Palestine” shoots and kills two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital & Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
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????????Pray for Israel.
????????Pray for America.????Would you join me… pic.twitter.com/Entj8EoMzt
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Israeli Embassy spokeswoman Tal Naim stated: “Two embassy staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the museum. We have full confidence in local and federal law enforcement to apprehend the shooter and to ensure the safety of Israeli representatives and the Jewish community across the United States.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, tweeted: “The fatal shooting that took place outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC is a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism. Harming 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.”
