Two Israeli embassy staff were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in Washington DC in what has been called a “despicable act of antisemitism” by Israel’s president.
The suspected gunman, named by police as Elias Rodriguez, 30, shouted “free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, officers said.
Israel’s embassy in the US released a picture of the couple who were killed, who were said to be about to get engaged.
They were named by Israel’s Foreign Minister as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram.
The Israeli embassy said: “Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
“The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
The pair were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.
Ms Smith said the suspect was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting, walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event security.
When he was taken into custody, the man began chanting, “free, free Palestine,” Ms Smith said.
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said the two people killed were a young couple about to be engaged, saying Mr Lischinsky had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem.
Mr Lischinsky was a German-Israeli dual national employed as a research assistant for Middle East & North African Affairs at the Embassy's Political Department, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Footage has been shared online showing when the suspect was detained.
BREAKING | #EliasRodriguez, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was arrested after allegedly shooting two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum on 3rd and F streets in northwest #Washington, D.C.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 22, 2025
Those killed were leaving an American Jewish Committee event when… pic.twitter.com/nYCzDpk6nC
The American Jewish Committee was hosting a Young Diplomats event at the museum on Wednesday night when the terror unfolded.
Attorney general Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the US attorney in Washington and whose office would prosecute the case.
Dan Bongino, deputy director of the FBI, wrote in a post on social media that "early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence."
“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” president Donald Trump posted on social media.
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “devastated” by the scenes in Washington.
He said: “This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy. Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered, and our immediate prayers are with the injured. I send my full support to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff.”
He added: “We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US. America and Israel will stand united in defence of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “wild incitement against the State of Israel” was to blame for the horror attack and that it was the “terrible price of anti-Semitism.”
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon described the shooting as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
He said: “The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
“Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.”
Witnesses Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher were inside the museum when they heard gunshots and a man came inside looking distressed, they said.
Mr Kalin said people came to his aid and brought him water, thinking he needed help, without realising he was the suspect.
“He was clearly in trauma, he was in shock. Some of the people at the event sat him down, brought him water, asked if he was okay, and he was like ''call the cops''.'
Ten minutes later when authorities arrived, the man allegedly admitted to carrying out the shooting.
“He grabbed a red kaffiyeh out of his pocket and started 'Free Palestine' chant, 'there's only one solution, Intifada revolution,” Mr Kalin said.
“This event was about humanitarian aid,” Mr Kalin said.
“How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel? How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington said in a statement that they are horrified by the shooting and “mourn the loss of the two individuals killed in the attack”.
“Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, and with all of those who are impacted by this tragic act of antisemitic violence,” the federation said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the "appalling" killings.
"Horrified by the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff in DC," Mr Lammy said in a post on X.
"We condemn this appalling, antisemitic crime.
"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and colleagues at this awful time."
