“Two Israeli embassy employees shot and killed near Jewish museum in Washington, DC”

On Wednesday evening, two staff members of the Israeli embassy were fatally shot while departing an event at a Jewish museum in Washington, according to police reports. The suspect was apprehended and allegedly shouted “free, free Palestine” after being taken into custody, as stated by law enforcement officials.

The victims, a man and a woman, were targeted as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The assailant, a 30-year-old individual, reportedly approached a group of four people and opened fire, revealed Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith during a press briefing.

Prior to the shooting, the suspect was seen loitering outside the museum, later entering the premises and then being apprehended by security personnel present at the event, detailed Smith during the news conference.

When he was taken into custody, the man began chanting, “free, free Palestine,” Smith said. Police identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago. 

The man and woman killed have only been identified as a couple. Officials said they were expected to get engaged while in Jerusalem next week. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the U.S. attorney in Washington.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”

“We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”

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