The fatal shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday occurred on the same night as the American Jewish Committee was holding an event for young professionals.
The sold-out “Young Diplomats Reception” is described as an event “bringing together Jewish young professionals (22-45) and the diplomatic community,” according to its Eventbrite page. The event was organized by ACCESS, the American Jewish Committee’s division for young professionals.
The two Israeli embassy staff members who were shot dead were leaving an event, according to Pamela A. Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The theme of this year’s Young Diplomats Reception was “turning pain into purpose,” and featured speakers from the Multifaith Alliance and IsraAID, according to the Eventbrite page.
The event was scheduled from 6:30-9 p.m. ET.
CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem said the event would have likely hosted people from many different embassies.
“This was an event that was bringing lots of young people together whose countries probably disagree on things, to try to leave it to the next generation,” Kayyem said.
