Two Israeli embassy staff members have been killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC in what officials are describing as an “antisemitic terrorist attack”.
The victims, a man and a woman, were shot whilst exiting an event at the museum late last night, according to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon called the incident a “depraved act of antisemitic terrorism” and said it was “crossing a red line”.
The shooting occurred at 9.05pm ET (2.05am BST) around 3rd and F Streets NW, an area with numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, including an FBI Washington field office.
Sources told CBS that the incident appears to have been targeted, with the victims shot at close range.
Multiple employees of the Israeli embassy were reportedly attending the museum event at the time of the attack.
The Israeli ambassador was not present at the location when the shooting happened, an embassy spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged people to “pray for the families of the victims” and vowed: “We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
Ambassador Danon expressed confidence that “US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act” and stated that “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”
The incident triggered a major police response and shut down several core streets in the city.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force swiftly responded to the scene and is investigating the attack.
A search is underway for the attacker, who has been described as a goateed man wearing blue jeans and a blue jacket, according to sources speaking to CBS.
The shooting prompted a lockdown at the nearby Capitol campus of Georgetown University, with one student reporting they were told they couldn’t leave their building for over an hour.
Police have advised people to avoid the area as they continue their investigation.
The Capital Jewish Museum, like many Jewish institutions across the US, has faced security concerns amid rising antisemitism.
Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz had noted before the attack that Jewish institutions were “concerned about security due to some very scary incidents”.
The museum had recently received a security grant, partly because of a new LGBT Jews exhibit launched to coincide with World Pride.
“We recognise that there are threats associated with this as well,” Gurwitz had said, emphasising their commitment to creating “a welcoming and secure” space.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into what appears to be a targeted attack against Israeli diplomatic staff.
“We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” Secretary Noem stated.
As the search for the suspect continues, police have urged locals to avoid the area whilst they work to apprehend the individual responsible for this deadly attack.
