Two staff members of the US Israeli Embassy left the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night and were shot dead after spurring anger from US and Israeli officials.
The 30-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois, was named Elias Rodriguez and was arrested in connection with the shooting, police said. He is the only suspect.
President Donald Trump has accused the shooting of being “terrifying” and said there is no place for “hate” in the United States. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “devastated” by what he deployed in the US capital.
“This is a sleazy act of anti-Semitic hatred that advocates the lives of two young employees at the Israeli Embassy,” he said.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem said federal authorities are investigating the attack and will bring the “dead perpetrator” to trial.
Here’s what we know so far:
What is known about filming?
Officials responded to multiple calls regarding the shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum around 9pm on Wednesday (Thursday 01:00 GMT).
The victims, men and women left the event at a museum in the 3rd and F Streets area of Washington, DC, near the FBI Field Office and the U.S. Attorney General’s office.
The first responder discovered that the victim was unconsciously not breathing. Despite efforts to save lives, both were declared dead.
Police said the suspect entered the museum after the shooting and was taken into custody by security guards at the event.
“When handcuffs were placed, the suspect located the location where he had dumped the weapon and the weapon was recovered, implying that he had committed the crime,” Smith said.
What do you know about the victims?
They were named Jaron Lisinski and Sarah Lynn Milgrim by the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC.
Both were members of Israeli staff. A German diplomatic source told AFP news agency that the male victim of the attack also had German passports.
Israeli US ambassador Yethiel Reiter told reporters that the young staff is a couple who are “attempting to engage.”
“This week, the young man bought the ring in Jerusalem next week with the intention of suggesting to his girlfriend,” the writer revealed.
What do you know about the suspect, Elias Rodriguez?
The suspect is identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, Illinois.
Reporting it was close to the location of the shooting, Al Jazeera’s Heidi Cha Castro said the suspect was not previously on the local government’s radar.
“He was not a known entity. There was no reinforced warning before this happened,” she said.
What do you know about the suspect’s motives?
So far, police have not confirmed their motives.
On Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saa condemned “toxic anti-Semitism incitement against Israel and the Jews” since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023.
When suspect Elias Rodriguez was taken into custody, he began chanting: “Free, free Palestine,” police chief Smith said.
Mohammad Elmasley, a professor of media studies at the Doha Graduate Institute, said the attack was “bad” and was justly condemned regardless of political ideology.
He said: “You’re coming out of the Trump administration, Israel, and some of their supporters and saying that this is an anti-Semitic act…and that may be, it’s just an act of naked anti-Semitic hatred, and it should be clearly condemned,” Hermesley told Al Jazeera.
“But it is also possible that Rodriguez is committing this vigilante violence against Israel, eliciting frustration over genocide. [in Gaza] Or Israel’s apartheid policy regarding staff at these embassies. That is the important distinction. If that’s the motivation, then something else needs to be done. ”
What was your reaction to the shooting?
“These horrifying DC murders, clearly based on anti-Semitism, have to end now!” President Trump posted on social media early Thursday.
“Hate and extremism have no place in America. I express my sadness to the families of the victims. I am sad that this kind of thing can happen! God bless you!”
Israeli officials also denounced the incident, describing it as “a despicable act of hatred.” “We are witnessing the horrific prices of anti-Semitism and wild agitation against Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the shooting.
“I have directed to strengthen security arrangements in Israeli missions around the world and increase protections for state representatives,” Netanyahu said.
On Thursday, the reaction and sadness of dol was poured out from other countries as well.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz in his post on X called the filming “heinous act” and added that at this point “we must assume that there is an anti-Semitic motive.”
Kaya Karas, head of foreign policy for the EU, said, “I was shocked by the shootings of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. There is no place in society due to hatred, extremism or anti-Semitism. I am spreading my tribute to the victims and the families of the Israeli people.”
In the UK, Secretary of State David Lamy said: “I was terrified by the murder of two Israeli embassy staff in DC. I condemn this horrifying anti-Semitic crime. Our idea is with the victims, their families and colleagues during this terrifying time.”
French Foreign Minister Jeannoel Barott said: “The murder of two members of the Israeli Embassy near the Jewish Museum in Washington is an abominable act of anti-Semitic wild barrage. Such violence cannot be justified.
In Ireland, the Prime Minister said: “I strongly condemn the horrific gun attack that killed two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. last night. My deep sympathy goes to the Israelites to the couple’s family and friends. There is absolutely no place for violence or hatred.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: “I am standing in Israel for the tragic murder of two young employees at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. A scene of terror and violence that is strongly condemned.
What happens next?
Police Chief Smith said law enforcement does not currently believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.
FBI director Kash Patel said he and his team were explained to him about the shooting.
“While we’re working [the Metropolitan Police Department] Pray immediately for the victims and their families to learn more and more,” he wrote in X.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters that her administration would not tolerate “violence and hatred in our cities.”
“We will not tolerate terrorism’s actions. We will stand together as a community in a few days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” Bowser said.
Saar said flags at Israeli headquarters and missions around the world will fly at half-mast on Thursday.
Shoots are coming as Israel launches a new military campaign to control all strips in Gaza and continues to impose a widely criticized 11-week aid lockdown.
Many world leaders, including allies, have called for Israel to end the war and either have war-torn territory help or face punitive action.
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