Suspect Held After 2 Israeli Embassy Staff Killed in Washington

Two Israeli embassy staff - a couple about to be engaged — were killed by a lone gunman in Washington on the night of May 21, and a suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans is in custody, officials said.

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WASHINGTON - Two Israeli embassy staff - a couple about to be engaged — were killed by a lone gunman in Washington on the night of May 21, and a suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans is in custody, officials said.

The two were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, which is in a part of downtown Washington about 2km from the White House.

Washington Metropolitan police chief Pamela Smith said a man shot at a group of four people with a handgun, hitting both the victims. He was seen pacing outside the museum prior to the shooting.

The Israeli foreign ministry named the victims as Mr Yaron Lischinsky and Ms Sarah Lynn Milgrim, and said they were both locally employed staff.

The police chief said the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted, "Free Palestine, free Palestine" after being taken into custody.

"After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by event security," she said.