Couple shot dead in Washington DC after Jewish museum event named - as attack condemned

Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Sarah Lynn Milgram, an American citizen, were shot dead as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in the US capital.

The suspect, who shot at a group of four people just over a mile from the White House, chanted a pro-Palestinian slogan after he was taken into custody. Authorities believe he acted alone.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the US, said the man killed had "purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem".

The reaction to the killings has been one of shock, but also blame. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials of "toxic antisemitic incitement" which he said created hostile climate in which the fatal shooting took place.

President Donald Trump condemned the "horrible killings" which he said were "based obviously on antisemitism".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his heart ached for the families of the victims, "whose lives were cut

short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer".

Mr Netanyahu said that security would be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world.

It is believed that the shooting could result in the Israeli leader and his cabinet taking an even harder line on Gaza, where Israeli troops intend to occupy the whole enclave.

Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the attack, adding: "Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears."

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said there was a "direct line" connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder."

"This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe," without naming any specific leaders.

It comes at a time when European capitals have been increasingly critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza, where citizens living amid devastation are at risk of starvation.

'I was looking evil in the eye'

Jojo Drake Kalin, the organiser of the museum event, told Sky News that in the moments after the shooting staff initially thought the suspect was a bystander seeking shelter.

"I actually offered and gave him water - I was actually looking evil in the eye."

She said the event was designed to bring together young professionals to talk about bridge building and helping get humanitarian aid into Gaza.

"It's painfully ironic that, at a time when we were speaking about bridge building, someone came in with such pain and destruction."

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith also said that the suspect entered the museum after the shooting.

"Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offence," she added.

After being taken into custody he was filmed chanting: "Free Palestine, Free Palestine".

An address in Chicago linked to the suspect has since been raided by the FBI, with armed officers seen at the property.

-SKY NEWS