Two Israeli embassy employees shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington — antisemitism suspected
The killing, as per reports, may be an act of antisemitism. The shooter has been taken into custody.
Two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down late on Wednesday (May 21) outside a Jewish museum in Washington.
The killing, as per reports, may be an act of antisemitism. The shooter has been taken into custody.
Is antisemitism the motive?
As per reports, the suspect has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago. He reportedly shouted 'Free Palestine' before gunning down the two Israeli staffers.
On X, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that the "senseless" killings are being "actively" investigated.
Trending Stories
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
Meanwhile, condemning the killing, US President Donald Trump said that the incident was "based obviously on antisemitism". Sharing his condolences for the families of the victims, he said that "hatred and radicalism have no place in USA".
What happened?
Reports suggest that two Israeli staffers, a man and a woman, were shot down on the sidewalk outside the Jewish museum in Washington. The shooter was seen pacing the sidewalk before unleashing bullets on the couple, who were reportedly about to be engaged, killing them.
The shooter was arrested at the scene of the crime. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called the shooting "depraved" and said, "The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. -- in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."
"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."
