Two Israeli embassy workers shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington DC

Two staff members working for the Israeli embassy in Washington DC have been shot dead.

The shooting happened on Wednesday evening near the Capital Jewish Museum – steps away from an FBI office.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called the attack “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism”.

He wrote on X: “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.”

Detectives are yet to establish a potential motive for the shooting at this stage.

Pamela Smith, Washington DC’s police chief, confirmed at a news conference that a single suspect is now in custody, and they had shouted “free, free Palestine” while being detained.

He was seen pacing back and forth outside of the museum before the attack – approaching a group of four people, producing a handgun, and firing the weapon.

The two people who died were a young couple about to be engaged, and the man had purchased a ring with the intention of proposing next week.

Eyewitnesses said people came to help a man who had entered the building and looked in distress, without realising he was the suspect.

Yoni Kalin said: “This event was about humanitarian aid. How can we actually 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 actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.”

Paying tribute to the victims, Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said: “They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural centre.”

Mr Leiter confirmed he had spoken to Donald Trump since the attack has taken place.

And on Truth Social, the president wrote: “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!”

Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem described the attack as “senseless” – and vowed to “bring this depraved perpetrator to justice”.

Initial enquiries suggest the suspect is called Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago who was not previously known to police. He was arrested inside the museum by event security.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said: “There is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that this horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country.

“I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city.”

Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, said he was “devastated” by the scenes in Washington.

“We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US,” he added. “America and Israel will stand united in defence of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”