Two Israeli Embassy staffers shot dead in Washington, suspect held

Washington DC: At least two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot dead Wednesday evening just a stone’s throw away from the FBI’s field office in the nation’s capital, Washington DC.

It is reported citing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that a man and a woman were shot and killed near the Jewish Museum in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest.

Metropolitan police department said that a suspect is in custody.

US President Donald Trump blamed anti-semitism for the shootout saying that ‘These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!’

Giving condolences to the victims’ bereaved families, Trump added ‘Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA’.

Announcing the shootout on X, Secretary Noem said ‘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. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice’.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was present along with former judge Jeanine Pirro at the site of shootout.

‘Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,’ Bondi wrote on social media.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said that the killing of staff members of the Israeli Embassy was a ‘depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism’.

Danon expressed confidence in the US authorities saying that strong action will be taken against those responsible for this criminal act, adding: ‘ Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives everywhere in the world.’

FBI Washington field officials reportedly said that ‘there is no ongoing threat to public safety’, adding 'they were working with Washington Metropolitan Police'.