A single suspect, recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, is in custody, Washington police chief Pamela Smith mentioned. Rodriguez was seen pacing exterior the museum earlier than the capturing. He was later detained by occasion safety.
The suspect chanted “Free, free Palestine” whereas in custody, the police chief added.
Following the incident, Washington mayor Muriel Bowser mentioned that there was no energetic menace within the metropolis.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, referred to as the capturing “a wicked act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish neighborhood is crossing a pink line,” Danon mentioned in a put up on X.
“We’re assured that the US authorities will take sturdy motion in opposition to these liable for this prison act.”
US President Donald Trump referred to as the capturing “horrible”, including that it was “primarily based clearly on antisemitism”.
“Hatred and Radicalism don’t have any place within the USA,” the president mentioned in a put up on social media platform Fact Social.
“Condolences to the households of the victims. So mentioned that things like this will occur!”
The victims had been a younger couple who had been engaged to be married, mentioned Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the US.
He added that he spoke to Trump after the capturing.
A heavy police presence was seen on the scene as authorities cordoned off streets and redirected visitors.
Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi and US Legal professional for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro had been on the scene of the capturing.
