Two Israeli embassy staff have been shot dead near a Jewish museum in Washington, DC, officials in the United States have said.
The pair, a young couple, were killed while they were exiting an event at the museum in downtown Washington on Thursday AEST.
A suspect has since been taken into custody.
Here's what we know so far.
What happened?
At approximately 11.08am AEST, police received multiple calls about a shooting in the area, police chief Pamela Smith said during a press conference after the incident.
Smith said officers located one man and one woman, who were both unconscious and not breathing. Emergency responders attempted to save their lives at the scene, but both victims died.
The shooting took place near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. Source: AAP / AP
The targeted event appeared to be a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee for Jewish young professionals and the Washington diplomatic community.
The American Jewish Committee's CEO, Ted Deutch, confirmed it had hosted an event at the museum that evening.
The museum is in downtown Washington, close to the US Capitol and around 1.6km from the White House.
Smith said authorities believed the shooting was committed by a single suspect, who is now in custody.
Who were the victims?
Israel's foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, an American.
Lischinsky was a research assistant at the Israeli embassy, while Milgrim worked for its public diplomacy department, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
The victims have been identified as Sarah Lynn Milgrim (left) and Yaron Lischinsky. Credit: Embassy of Israel to the USA / X
"The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," he said.
"They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington's cultural centre."
Who is the suspect?
The suspect has been tentatively identified as a 30-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois named Elias Rodriguez.
Smith said before the shooting, the suspect had been observed pacing back and forth outside the museum, before approaching a group of four people and opening fire.
Police will lead an investigation into the incident, assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Source: AAP / Will Oliver / EPA
She said after being detained, he identified where he had discarded the weapon, and "implied that he had committed the offence".
Smith said Rodriguez had chanted "free, free Palestine" while in custody.
A video clip that circulated on social media after the attack showed a bearded young man in a jacket and white shirt shouting "free, free Palestine" as he was led away by police.
World leaders react
US President Donald Trump condemned the killings in a post on his Truth Social platform, calling them "based obviously on antisemitism" and saying "hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his "heart ached" for the families of the victims, whose lives he said had been "abruptly cut short by a despicable antisemitic murder".
He announced extra security arrangements at Israeli missions around the world, calling the incident "the terrible price of antisemitism" and incitement against Israel.
Leaders in the UK, France and Germany were among those who joined in condemning the shooting.
US President Donald Trump has condemned the killings. Source: AAP / Pool/ABACA/PA
"Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," he said.
"We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world."
Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar blamed European criticism of his country's stepped-up Gaza offensive, claiming "a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder."
"This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe," he said.
French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called the accusation "completely outrageous and completely unjustified."
What's next?
Smith said the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department would be leading an investigation into the incident.
Steve Jensen, the assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation would be helping to investigate and provide support.
Later on Thursday, France's interior ministry said police had been told to "step up surveillance at sites linked to the Jewish community" in the country.
— With additional reporting by AFP
