WASHINGTON - Two staff members from the Israeli embassy Washington, D.C. were shot dead outside an event at a Jewish museum in the capital, police said Wednesday.

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that on Wednesday, the event of the American Jewish Council as a pro-Israeli advocacy group, ended in a local Jewish museum in downtown DC, as Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that a man was observed “back and forth” outside the building.

Smith said the man approached a group of four and fired. Officials said two people were killed - a couple of men and women. Afterwards, the shooter entered the museum and was detained safely by the event, Smith said.

"The suspect chanted 'free, free Palestine' in custody," Smith added. Police said they temporarily identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago. Smith said he had no known encounters with the police.

Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said the victims were "coming soon". "The young man bought a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend in Jerusalem next week. They are a beautiful couple who come to the Washington Cultural Center for a night."

The ambassador said he had received a call from President Trump. Wright said the president told him that the White House would do everything possible to fight and end anti-Semitism. ”

The shooting happened outside the Jewish Museum, the capital city in downtown Washington, less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol. The American Jewish Council, a pro-Israel Jewish advocacy group, held an event at the museum Wednesday night, the group said in a statement.

"We were shocked that unspeakable violence occurred outside the venue," Ted Deutch, the organization's CEO, said in a statement to NPR. "Our attention and heart are totally focused on those who were hurt and families."

"We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. On social media platforms x. “Pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this fallen perpetrator to justice.

Steve Jensen, an official with the FBI's Washington Field Office, called the shooting a "heuristic crime." He said the FBI is investigating “links based on prejudice-based crime or hate crime”.