Two Israeli embassy staff members were fatally shot on Wednesday, May 21, evening as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.
As per reports, citing the police, the suspect, a 30-year-old man, approached a group of four individuals and opened fire.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith confirmed that the suspect had been pacing outside the museum before the attack and was detained by event security after entering the museum.
Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly began chanting “free Palestine”.
2 Israeli embassy staff members shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) May 22, 2025
According to the police, the shooter shouted “FREE PALESTINE”.
This is terrorism.
pic.twitter.com/Kq9CuHPuFN
Attorney General Pam Bondi and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro were on-site following the incident.
“I am on the scene of the horrible shooting outside the Washington, DC Capital Jewish Museum with @USAttyPirro. Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” Bondi wrote on X.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, condemned the shooting as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” asserting that U.S. authorities would take strong action against those responsible. Danon further emphasized that Israel would continue to take decisive steps to protect its citizens and diplomats worldwide.
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 anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against… pic.twitter.com/mVyXHjGyxU
— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) May 22, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted, “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.”
Kristi Noem, the head of Homeland Security vowed to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“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,” Noem’s tweet read.
