Step-by-step account of attack that killed two Israeli officials in US

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A shooting on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington killed two Israeli embassy staff members.

Here is a detailed, step-by-step account of the attack:

Location

The shooting took place outside the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum at the junction of 3rd Street and F Street in Washington, DC.

The museum was hosting the “AJC Access Young Diplomats Reception”, organised by the American Jewish Committee, aimed at “fostering unity” among Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community.

The theme of the meeting was “turning pain into purpose”, which organisers said focused on humanitarian crises in the Middle East and North Africa.

Timeline

9.08pm: Emergency services received reports of a shooting outside the museum.

Before that, witnesses observed a man, later identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, pacing outside the museum.

The suspect approached a group of four people leaving the event and opened fire with a handgun, shooting dead two embassy staff members – a man and a woman – according to US media.

After the shooting, he entered the museum and was detained by security. While in custody, he chanted “Free, free Palestine” and told authorities where he had discarded the weapon, which was then recovered, said US media.

Witness Yoni Kalin told Fox 5 that "the security guard happened to let this guy in, I guess they were thinking he was a victim".

"He was covered in rain, clearly in shock and trauma. Some of the people sat him down, brought him water, said 'are you OK, are you shot, what happened?'"

"About 10 minutes later when the cops came in he said: 'I did this, I’m unarmed.' He put his hands up and grabbed a red keffiyeh out of his pocket and started the 'Free Palestine' chants [and] 'there’s only one solution, intifada revolution', Mr Kalin added.

Victims

The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli national, and Sarah Milgrim, an American citizen.

Both were staff members at the Israeli embassy.

Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said that Mr Lischinsky was going to propose to Ms Milgrim in Jerusalem next week.

Suspect

Name: Elias Rodriguez

Age: 30

Residence: Chicago

Background: Mr Rodriguez has no prior criminal record but was previously associated with the far-left Party for Socialism and Liberation and had participated in protests in Chicago, according to US media.

The Times of Israel reported that he attended a 2017 demonstration organised by the Party for Socialism and Liberation outside the house of the mayor of Chicago, who had Israeli heritage.

The Illinois University graduate is an administrative worker for the American Osteopathic Association, according to a LinkedIn page. Before that he had worked for an oral history project, an online coupon application and the how-to website wikiHow.

Investigation

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and local police are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime and act of terrorism. Authorities believe Mr Rodriguez acted alone.

Reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock and ordered increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide. Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, mourned the loss of the victims and emphasised the need for justice.

US President Donald Trump condemned the attack, stating that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA”. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged full co-operation in the investigation.

Israel's war in Gaza

The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions due to Israel’s refusal to stop its war in Gaza.

It happened hours after the Israeli army opened fire on foreign diplomats in the occupied West Bank.

The incident highlighted the increasingly precarious position of the Israeli government, which has increased the intensity of its assault in the Palestinian enclave despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire.