Washington: Two Israeli embassy workers have been shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC.

The shooting took place shortly after 9pm (11am AEST) in downtown Washington, just blocks from DC police headquarters and steps away from the FBI’s field office. An event for young Jewish diplomats and professionals was taking place at the museum at the time.

Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said the victims were a young couple. Police said the couple were leaving the event when the shooter approached a group of four people and opened fire.

A 30-year-old Chicago man has been arrested. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the suspect chanted “free, free Palestine” while in police custody.

She said the man, whom she identified as Elias Rodriguez, was seen “pacing back and forth” outside the museum before the shooting, and entered the museum afterwards, where he was detained by venue security.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the couple killed worked at the Israeli embassy in a post on social media platform X.

“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” she wrote.

US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he posted on his platform Truth Social.

“So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

The event was described online as an “AJC ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception”, aimed at bringing together young Jewish professionals along with the Washington diplomatic community.

“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,” American Jewish Committee chief executive Ted Deutch said.

“At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”

Leiter, the ambassador, said the male victim had purchased a wedding ring this week and intended to propose to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.

“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural centre,” he said.

“I will say this. We are resilient people. The people of Israel are resilient people, and the people of the United States of America are resilient people.

“Together we will stand and we’ll overcome the moral depravity of people who think that they’re going to achieve political gain through murder.”

Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said the shooting was a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.

“Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” he said on X.

“We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”

US Attorney-General Pam Bondi was at the scene and said she was praying for the victims.

Democratic senator Chuck Schumer posted on social media: “This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of anti-Semitism, which, as we know, is all too rampant in our society. I’m praying for those who were killed, all those affected, and their families.”

Smith, the police chief, said she was not yet aware what the man in custody was telling police, nor whether he travelled from Chicago to Washington with criminal intent.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/people-shot-outside-washington-s-capital-jewish-museum-20250522-p5m1e0.html