WASHINGTON – Two Israeli Embassy staffers had been shot and killed close to the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night time, D.C. police say.
A suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, has been arrested in connection to the taking pictures.
What we all know:
Police say the double taking pictures occurred round 9:15 p.m. within the 300 block of F Road, NW.
Previous to the taking pictures, witnesses reported seeing the suspect pacing exterior the museum. He then allegedly approached a bunch of 4 individuals and shot the 2 victims.
Police say the suspect then entered the museum the place he was detained by occasion safety. Whereas in handcuffs he chanted “free, free Palestine.”
Moreover, police say he defined the place he hid the gun used within the taking pictures and “he implied he dedicated the offense.”
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter did not determine the victims by identify in the course of the press convention Wednesday night time however did say they had been to be engaged throughout an upcoming journey to Jerusalem.
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 reached out to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), as they had been internet hosting the occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum.
In a press release, they informed FOX 5, “American Jewish Committee (AJC) can affirm that we hosted an occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. this night. We’re devastated that an unspeakable act of violence befell exterior the venue. At this second, as we await extra data from the police about precisely what transpired, our consideration and our hearts are solely with those that had been harmed and their households.”
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X following the taking pictures, saying that DHS might be a part of the investigation and can “convey this wicked perpetrator to justice.”
Democratic Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jefferies launched a press release on Monday condemning the taking pictures.
“I’m horrified by the lethal act of anti-Semitic violence at an occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum. As we await extra particulars, it’s clear that too a lot of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately worry for his or her security on this nation merely because of their religion. Antisemitism has no place in our nation,” he mentioned, partially. “America will stand firmly with the Jewish neighborhood throughout this nice hour of want.”
What’s subsequent:
It is not but clear what costs Rodriguez will face, or if this incident might be investigated as a hate crime and even an act of terrorism. However throughout Wednesday night time’s press convention, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser alluded to it.
“I wish to be clear that we are going to not tolerate this violence or hate in our metropolis. We won’t tolerate any acts of terrorism and we will stand collectively as a neighborhood within the coming days and weeks to ship a transparent message that we are going to not tolerate anti-Semitism,” she mentioned.
