President Trump expressed his condemnation of a shooting in Washington that resulted in the deaths of two young Israeli embassy staff members outside the Jewish Museum on Wednesday night, attributing the suspect’s actions to anti-Semitism.
“These horrific murders in DC, clearly stemming from anti-Semitism, must stop immediately!” Trump noted in a post on Truth Social, made just after midnight on Thursday.
“Hate and radicalism have no place in America,” he added, extending thoughts to the families affected by the tragedy.
The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, allegedly approached a group of four emerging from the museum’s event shortly after 9 PM, opening fire and injuring two individuals at close range, according to law enforcement officials.
Rodriguez was apprehended inside the museum. After his arrest, he reportedly shouted, “free, free Palestine,” as shared by Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith during a press briefing.
Smith confirmed that Rodriguez is in custody and reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
Yechiel Leiter, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, remarked at a news conference that the victims were an engaged couple. Jaron Lisinski had recently bought a ring and was planning to propose to Sarah Lynn Milgrim in Jerusalem the following week, as reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned in a statement that during a conversation with Attorney General Pam Bondy, he was informed about Trump’s involvement in addressing the situation and the U.S.’s commitment to bringing the shooter to justice, according to the summary provided by Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu condemned the act, stating he was “deeply concerned.”
“We are witnessing the tragic repercussions of anti-Semitism and the widespread incitement against the State of Israel,” Netanyahu remarked. “The lives taken in this way must be passionately defended against such violence.”
“My heart goes out to the families mourning young lives lost in an instant due to these heinous acts of anti-Semitic violence,” he concluded.
