Washington: Two Israeli embassy employees were killed in a shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., as reported by US media. The incident occurred during an event organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the US Secretary of Homeland Security confirmed the deaths of the two Israeli embassy employees near the Jewish Museum. The State Department announced shortly after the incident that the suspect had been arrested. Media sources, quoting police, identified the shooter as Elias Rodriguez, 30, who has no known prior criminal history that would have attracted law enforcement attention.

NBC, citing officials, reported that during the arrest, the suspect was wearing a keffiyeh and shouting “Free Palestine.” The Washington Police Chief stated that the suspect was seen wandering outside the museum before the shooting and was subsequently detained by security personnel.

The Washington Police Chief further confirmed that investigations are still in the preliminary stages. Authorities are probing the motive behind the shooting and have not yet received any intelligence suggesting a terrorist act or hate crime in the city.