Two killed by gunman outside Washington Jewish Museum
'The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism'
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin has expressed his horror after a man and a woman were fatally shot in front of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
“Horrified by the murder of two people outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, including a staffer at the Israeli Embassy, in what appears to be a targeted antisemitic terror attack,” Ryvchin worte on X on Thursday, AEST. “Thinking of our friends and partners in the US Jewish community, especially the American Jewish Committee who were hosting an event in the building at the time of the shooting.”
Ryvchin later added, “When a UN official just concocted a lie that Israel is about to kill 14,000 babies and major media uncritically ran with it, is it any wonder two people were just murdered in Washington by someone yelling “free Palestine”?”
According to NBC News in the United States, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening, US Eastern Daylight Time. Sources told CBS News that an Israeli diplomat and his female companion were fatally shot as they exited an event at the museum.
According to America’s ABC News, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch confirmed that the AJC hosted an event at the museum on Wednesday night.
“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. 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,” he said.
Washington, DC, Police Chief Pamela Smith said that “despite all life-saving efforts, both victims succumbed to their injuries.”
She said both victims were exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. “Prior to the shooting, a suspect was observed pacing outside of the museum,” she said, adding that he opened fire at a group of four, killing a man and a woman.
“The suspect chanted, ‘Free, free Palestine,’ while in custody. The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriquez of Chicago, Illinois,”she said. “The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine’ was a couple about to be engaged,” she added, adding that the man had bought a ring last week with the intention of proposing next week in Jerusalem.
Israeli embassy in DC spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen said in a statement, “Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot this evening at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC.
“We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon labelled it “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism” on X.
“The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism,” he said.
“Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. 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.”
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said in a statement on Thursday, “People everywhere will rightly be shaken by the likelihood that this violent act was motivated by hatred of the Jewish people and Israel.
“It is a shocking reminder of the hatred which exists in the hearts of some people and the particular security threat which confronts Jewish and Israeli institutions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the Jewish and Israeli communities in Washington DC and across the United States.”
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote on X, ”Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC.”
Authorities have advised the public to avoid the area, which also houses the FBI field office and the U.S. attorney’s office, as the investigation continues. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation.
With TIMES OF ISRAEL
comments