The attack occurred on the sidewalk in front of the Jewish museum of the US capital, which had an event for young professionals and diplomats. Police explained that the suspect entered the museum after the shots and was arrested there.
The president of USA, Donald Trumpcondemned the “horrible murders“, Motivated” obviously by anti -Semitism. “
“Terrorism and hatred will not break us,” said the president of IsraelIsaac Herzog, “shocked” by the double murder.
“Before the shooting, the suspect was observed walking from one place to another on the outskirts of the museum. He approached a group of four people, took out a gun and opened fire,” Pamela Smith, head of the Washington Police, explained to the press.
Police identified him as Elías Rodríguez, 30, of Chicago. According to Smith, when he was arrested and handcuffed he shouted “Free Palestine“
The victims were a young couple who planned to marry soon, according to the Israeli ambassador to USAYechiel Leiter.
“The young man had Bought a ring This week to ask his girlfriend to marry next week in Jerusalem, ”Leiter told the press.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinskywhich also had German nationality, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.
After the attack there was a confusion with the attacker, which was initially confused As a possible victim.
Several witnesses indicated that the Museum Security Personnel It allowed him to enter, and there he was comforted by several people, Before recognizing that he had shot.
“Some of the people attending the event brought water, and made him sit,” he told local media Yoni Kalinwho was present in the museum.
Israeli criticisms to Europe
“These horrible murders of Washington DCobviously motivated by anti -Semitism, they must end now! ” Trump on its platform Social truth. “Hate and radicalism have no place in the United States.”
Your Secretary of State, Marco RubioHe promised that they will find those responsible. “We will take them to justice,” he published in X, after what he called a “shameless act of cowardly and anti -Semitic violence.”
In turn, Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahuordered to strengthen the security of the diplomatic missions of his country worldwide, and attributed the attack on the “Wild incitement“To the violence” against the state of Israel. “
The attack was also condemned by the governments of Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, France and Italy.
The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, said being “shocked“And he said that” there can be no space in our societies for hate, extremism or anti -Semitism. “
Instead, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saarhe lashed out against European countries, some of them very critical of the military campaign in Gaza, with the consequent friction that this has caused with the diplomacy of the Hebrew state.
“There is a direct line between this murder and anti -Semitic and Antisraeli incitement. This hatred incitement is also the work of leaders and responsible for many international countries and organizations, especially in Europe,” said the minister at a press conference.
In the Washington Center
Police officers responded to multiple calls from a shooting near the museum around 9:00 p.m. (01.00 GMT hours on Thursday), he said Smith At a press conference.
When the authorities arrived at the place, They found a man and an unconscious and breathless woman. Despite the efforts of the lifeguards to save their lives, both were declared dead.
The objective of the attack was an annual reception organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), destined for young professionals already accredited in Washington.
“He American Jewish Committee confirms that we organized an event at the Washington Jewish Museum tonight, ”said the president of the Committee in a statement, Ted Deutch. “We are devastated to see that an unspeakable act of violence occurred in front of the place.”
“Werewing diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” said the Israel Ambassador to the United NationsDanny Danon, who described the attack as “anti -Semitic terrorism“
The Jewish museum is in the center of Washingtonnear the Capitol Already a kilometer and a half of the White House.