Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead outside museum in Washington

Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead late Wednesday outside a museum in Washington by an armed suspect who reportedly shouted "free Palestine", authorities said, with US and Israeli leaders expressing shock and outrage over the killings.

The victims, Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky, were a couple who planned to get married, the Israeli ambassador said.

President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!"

"Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he added on social media.

Gunfire broke out on the sidewalk outside the Capital Jewish Museum in the centre of Washington as the venue held a social event for professionals and diplomatic staff.

A video clip circulating on social media showed a young man in a jacket and white shirt shouting "free, free Palestine" as he was led away by police.

Police confirmed the suspected shooter walked into the museum after the shooting and had been detained.

"We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody," Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters.

"Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire.

"After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security."

She said the handcuffed suspect identified where he had discarded the weapon and chanted "Free, free Palestine."

Police identified him as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago.

The targeted event appeared to be a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for Jewish young professionals and the Washington diplomatic community.

"American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC this evening," AJC CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement.

"We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue... Our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."

The museum is in downtown Washington, close to the US Capitol and just over one mile (1.6 kilometres) from the White House.