ATLANTA () – The American Jewish Committee, which hosted the event in Washington on Wednesday night, expresses that they are still shocked and outraged by the loss of innocent lives.

Police say two Israeli staff members were shot and killed Wednesday night around 9 p.m. in Washington, D.C. outside the Capitol Jewish Museum.

Tributes are continuing to come in from Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp and Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, denouncing the violence and hatred against Jewish individuals and the people of Israel.

“This has been a tragic event for the Jewish community, including myself and my colleagues at the American Jewish Committee. The two individuals were departing an AJC program, and many young professionals here were connected to those who were killed. The program they attended was focused on understanding humanitarian aid in Gaza for diplomats,” stated Dov Wilker, Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee.

“What’s going through my mind is this a tragedy that everybody saw coming. We have seen record breaking antisemitism across the country and world over the past few years,” said Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Eytan Davidson.

“In all I can think about words lead to action and words like globalizing the intifada leads to killing of Jews and Israelis around the world,” said Davidson.

There are around 200,000 people Jewish people living in Georgia and according to a recent anti-defamation league audit report, the number of anti semitic activities has gone up after the October 7 attack. In fact, Jewish owned business are seeing more attacks and an increase in violence and the recent report shows more than 340 antisemitic cases in Georgia alone.

“Free Palestine, globalize the intifada — these are the slogans terrorists use to terrorize and murder Jews. We have seen quickly how it’s gone from chanting slogans to real life consequences. These were two young people who were about to get engaged and start their lives,” said Davidson.

The American Jewish Committee regional director in Atlanta says this attack was not due to a lack of security, but rather to denounce antisemitism and people who are seeking the destruction of the state of Israel.

Police say the suspected shooter, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, made his first court appearance today and chanted “Free, free Palestine” while in custody and said he committed the act “For Gaza.”