Healey 'outraged' by shootings of Israeli Embassy staffers
BOSTON (SHNS) – Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday said she was 'horrified and outraged' by the shootings of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night, and 'at this time, there is no known connection or any direct threat to Massachusetts,' her office said.
'I'm horrified and outraged by the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside of an American Jewish Committee event in Washington D.C. last night,' Healey said in a statement her office released just before 10 a.m. 'This was a senseless, hate-fueled act of violence.'
The governor added: 'There is no justification for antisemitism or violence – in our nation's capital or anywhere else. My thoughts are with Yaron and Sarah's families, friends and colleagues, and I'm sending love and support to the Jewish community. I'm grateful to the first responders and law enforcement who responded quickly to the scene and are working in communities across the country to keep people safe.'
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said Wednesday night that the shooting occurred just after 9 p.m. as both victims were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspect, who Smith said was tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was observed pacing back and forth outside the museum before approaching a group of four people and allegedly opening fire. The suspect then entered the museum, Smith said, where he was detained by security.
'Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon and that weapon has been recovered and he implied that he committed the offense,' Smith said. 'The suspect chanted, 'Free, free Palestine' while in custody.'
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Wednesday night, 'The horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city. We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism and were going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate antisemitism.'
Healey's office said the Massachusetts State Police are in 'close collaboration with federal, state and local partners to monitor new information and ensure the safety of Massachusetts communities.' Her office encouraged people to 'remain vigilant and report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.'
Commonwealth Fusion Center officials briefed State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble on Thursday and will keep Healey and her public safety and security team apprised of any developments, Healey's office said.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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