The shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago shouted, "Free, free Palestine," as he was taken into police custody.
Condemnation of the shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers killed on Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., was swift, as politicians, organization heads, and world leaders expressed their horror after the young couple, who were about to be engaged, were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
President Donald Trump, posting to Truth Social, 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!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted to X, “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 said.
U.S. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) called the shooting “horrific,” urging U.S. law enforcement to “use every tool” to “prosecute these evil criminals.”
Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, wrote on X, “Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
“The U.S. must continue to stand with our most precious ally Israel and work to eradicate this vile antisemitism raging in our streets and around the world,” she added.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi visited the scene. She said all levels of government “will be doing everything in our power to keep all citizens safe, especially tonight, our Jewish community.” With her was former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the interim U.S. attorney in the nation’s capital and would prosecute the case.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism, which as we know is all too rampant in our society.”
American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch, whose organization hosted the event at which the shooting took place, said, “We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue.”
The shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” as he was taken into police custody.
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