WASHINGTON —Two Israeli embassy staffers were killed by a lone gunman in downtown Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
The suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans is in custody, officials said.
The Israeli foreign ministry named the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim and said they were both locally employed staff.
They were both trying to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, separate advocacy groups each belonged to said.
The two were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, which about 1.3 miles (2 km) from the White House.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, told reporters Lischinsky had “purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem”.
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the single suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine”, after being taken into custody by event security.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting in a message on Truth Social, saying “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his heart ached for the families of the victims, “whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer”.
Netanyahu said security would be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world.
The shooting is certain to further convulse the U.S. debate over the war in Gaza, which has polarized steadfast supporters of Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Stay with us for the latest developments as we get them.
