'Free, free Palestine': Suspect screams after gunning down 2 Israeli embassy staffers in Washington

The suspect who shot and killed two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, US, chanted "Free Palestine" while he was taken into custody.

"Suspect chanted 'Free, free Palestine' while in custody," Washington Police chief Pamela Smith was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters

Two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed Wednesday evening (local time) near a Jewish museum in Washington, DC.

Smith said at a news conference that the two victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect walked up to a group of four people and began shooting.

According to the Washington Police chief, the suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting and was later detained by event security. While in custody, the suspect repeatedly chanted "Free, Free Palestine."

The suspect is identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump condemned the incident and said it was "based on antisemitism". "These horrible DC 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!" he said in a post on Truth Social.



The Israeli ambassador was not involved in the incident and was not present at the location during the time of the shooting, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy was quoted as saying by CNN.