Washington shooting: Terrorism police swarm city street as two Israeli Embassy staff killed in attack

police have swarmed a city street - near a Jewish museum - after two US Embassy staff were .

Officers have warned members of the public to avoid the area around the Capital Jewish Museum in Penn Quarter, Washington DC, following the atrocity. It happened at around 9.15pm on Wednesday (2.15am Thursday in UK) in the US capital, reports local media.

It occurred near the city's police headquarters and in front of the Capital Jewish Museum, an attraction which explores the Jewish experience in the city and wider region. It is believed the museum was hosting a special event at the time of the atrocity.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, confirmed two Israeli Embassy staff were killed in the attack. She tweeted: "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice."

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is at the scene. Police have asked people to avoid the area while they investigate the attack.

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No further details about the man and woman, such as their names and their ages, have been disclosed by police at this stage. The police force has confirmed a press conference will take place near the scene shortly.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has tweeted: "The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.

"We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the ."

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The police force earlier tweeted: "Shooting investigation in the area of 3rd and F Street NW. Avoid the area. Details to come," a post that has been seen by more than 32,000 - or X - users and shared multiple times.

Footage shared by News4 shows a long line of police cars and ambulances at the scene, each with their emergency lights flashing. Police tape is seen, cordoning off part of a road near the museum. It zooms in to show multiple police officers working at the scene of the gunning.