Police say two Israeli embassy workers in Washington were killed as they left an event at a Jewish museum.
The suspect shouted “Free, free Palestine!” after he was detained following the attack on Wednesday evening, police said.
The shooting prompted Israeli embassies to tighten security and fly flags at half-mast.
This comes as Israel has launched a new major offensive in the Gaza Strip in the conflict with Hamas, increasing tensions in the region and the world, and as anti-Semitic incidents have risen.
According to Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, the dead were a young couple who were about to get engaged.
He added that the man purchased the ring this week, planning to propose next week in Jerusalem.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told a news conference they were leaving an event at the Metropolitan Jewish Museum when the suspect, who had been seen wandering near the museum, approached a group of four people and opened fire.
The man, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, then entered the museum, was detained by event security and began shouting “free, free Palestine,” Ms. Smith added.
Israeli authorities identified the victims as Israeli citizen Yaron Lishchinsky and American Sarah Milgrim.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
