The FBI says the attack is being investigated as a potential federal hate crime.
Two members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed on May 21 near a Jewish museum, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced.
“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 in a post on X. “Please pray for the families of the victims.”
“We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” Noem added.
During a press conference hosted by the D.C. Metropolitan Police, an FBI agent overseeing the case announced that the FBI was investigating the possibility of a hate crime.
She said that a suspect was in custody, and no details were provided.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she was at the scene of the crime alongside U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top prosecutor in the District of Columbia.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting 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 those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences for the families of the victims.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
By Joseph Lord
