4 hours Ago
Details of the Incident
The two Israeli Embassy employees were killed in the “senseless” violence, said Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. The shooting took place outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the victims were attending a Jewish community event.
The shooter, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was observed walking outside the museum back and forth before he walked up to a group of four at the museum. He then retrieved a handgun and began firing, killing two people.
Following the shooting, Rodriguez went into the museum, and the security personnel that was there apprehended him. In custody, he admitted where he had thrown the weapon, which was found by officers. Chief Smith also said the suspect had been chanting “Free, Free Palestine” when he was arrested.
Victims and Reactions
The victims were identified as a young couple soon to be engaged. The young man told Netanyahu that he had bought a ring recently and planned to propose to his partner during a visit to Jerusalem next week, Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, said.
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, confirmed both men had been shot from close range. It was also explained that the ambassador was not present when the incident happened.
The museum event was presented by the American Jewish Committee. In a statement, its chief executive, Ted Deutch, said it was with “profound sorrow” that the body learned of the violence and added that the organisation was “devastated” and that its thoughts were with the victims and their families.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and acting US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro traveled to the scene soon after the shooting. Bondi said she had spoken “again and again” with President Donald Trump throughout the night about the situation.
Condolences and Condemnation
The response to the attack has been vigorous. Antisemitism: Ex-president Donald Trump called the act "disgraceful" and an example of an "America-hating left". “The awful loss of life taking place in D.C. is senseless. Those medics who came to the aid of the Targets ARE heroes and should be thanked as much as they can. “These horrible D.C. killings, on the heels of Las Vegas, are without rhyme or reason. Hatred and Radicalism have no place in our country,” he added, expressing sympathy for the families of the victims.
In his death, the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the shooting as a “despicable act of hatred” and expressed his heartbreak for the loss of so many young lives. He highlighted the US-Israeli togetherness in opposing such attacks.
Both US and Israeli authorities have vowed to cooperate with each other as probes remain ongoing to see that justice is carried out.
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