Two Israeli embassy employees shot dead in Washington

A man and a woman were killed at around 9:05 p.m. local time on May 21 (06:05 a.m. Tashkent time on May 22) as they were leaving a Gaza aid event at the Jewish Museum, the event's organizer told the BBC.

Israeli embassy spokesman Tal Naim Cohen said the victims were shot dead at close range by an attacker.

The Israeli embassy in Washington released the names of the deceased couple and a photo of Yaron and Sarah together.

Israeli media reported that their full names were Yaron Lishchinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said the victims were young couples who were about to get married.

"There are no words to express our grief and horror at this irreparable loss. Our hearts go out to their families. The embassy will provide them with all the assistance they need during this terrible time,” the embassy said in a statement.

The suspect was taken into custody by police and identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Police said he shouted “Freedom for Palestine” during his arrest.

Steve Jensen, deputy director of the FBI’s Washington office, said the suspect is being investigated for “possibility of terrorism.”

District of Columbia Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference that Rodriguez had no prior criminal record and that his background “did not warrant further investigation.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was “shocked by today’s terrorist attack,” adding that “Israeli representatives around the world are always at risk.”

“I am appalled by what happened in Washington. This is a despicable act of hatred and anti-Semitism that took the lives of two young Israeli embassy employees,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on Twitter.

US President Donald Trump called it “deeply regrettable” and “a blatant anti-Semitic attack.”

“We strongly condemn the killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington. Our prayers are with their families. This was a cowardly, brutal act of anti-Semitic violence. Make no mistake: we will find the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” said US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio.

Jojo Kalin, the organizer of the American Jewish Committee event at the Jewish Museum, told the BBC that he saw the attacker.

Kalin said she entered the museum shortly after the shooting and was “very confused.”

“The guards thought she was a bystander or a bystander and let her in,” she said.

Kalin even offered her a drink of water because the man was so agitated. But then she grabbed a red handkerchief and shouted, “Freedom for Palestine!”

The man was then arrested. Kalin said she didn’t realize he had a weapon.

The event at the Jewish Museum was a “cocktail night” for young professionals to build community and celebrate Jewish heritage.

According to the organizers, the American Jewish Committee, the event was also open to members of the Washington diplomatic community.

The event description states that the guests of honor will include those working in crisis areas in the Middle East, including Gaza, and who are involved in collecting and delivering humanitarian aid.

Although the time of the event was publicly announced, the exact location was only made known to registered participants.