4 hours ago
Last Updated:May 22, 2025, 10:18 IST
Two people were killed in the firing outside Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. According to reports, both of them was linked to the Israeli Embassy.
Shooting outside Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC (Reuters Image)
In an “act of anti-semitic terrorism", two staff members linked to the Israeli Embassy were killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC, local media reported on Wednesday night (local time).
The DC Police launched an investigation into the incident and are probing the shooting across the street from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which is located near the museum. The Israeli Embassy is in touch with the local authorities.
The Israeli ambassador was not at the location when the shooting took place, an embassy official told CNN.
In a statement, Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, later confirmed that two embassy staff members were shot at close range on Tuesday evening while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
“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," he added.
Soon after the incident, US President Donald Trump said “hatred and radicalism have no space" in the country.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!"
Police Launch Investigation
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that the police are actively investigating the incident and will share more updates in due course.
“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," Noem said on X.
Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, described the shooting as an “act of anti-Semitic terrorism" and said that harming the diplomats is “crossing a red line".
“The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC -– in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured — is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Danon said.
FBI Director Kash Patel Reacts
FBI Director Kash Patel took to X and said that he has been briefed about the shooting and said that the police are dealing with the situation.
“My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office. While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep the public updated as we are able," he said.
Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, told ABC News that they had hosted an event at the museum that night.
“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue," Deutch said.
At least one of the victims was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, ABC reported, citing sources.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro visited the crime scene shortly after the shooting, Bondi tweeted.
Marco Rubio And Israeli President Condemn ‘Antisemitic Violence’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones. This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice," he posted on X.
Isaac Herzog, Israeli President, termed the killings as “an act of terror" and said that the US and Israel will always stand united.
“The heinous attack in Washington is a horrific antisemitic act of terror that claimed the lives of two young employees from the Israeli embassy in Washington. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families in this difficult hour and pray for the recovery of the wounded. We in Israel stand by the Jewish community in Washington and throughout the United States, and I wish to send comfort and strength to the entire embassy team. America and Israel will always stand united in defending our peoples and our shared values. We will not allow terror and hatred to break us," he posted on X.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed In Shooting Outside Jewish Museum In Washington DC, Trump Reacts
