Two Israeli Embassy employees, a man and a woman, were shot and killed Wednesday night as they exited the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. A suspect is in custody. The shooting was reported at 9:08 p.m. local time outside the museum, near an FBI field office. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, was seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four people, producing a handgun, and shooting the two victims. Responding officers found the victims unconscious and not breathing.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, entered the museum after the shooting and was arrested by museum security. He revealed the location where he discarded the weapon, which has been recovered. Rodriguez chanted “free, free Palestine” while in custody. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter revealed that the victims were a couple about to be engaged. The young man had purchased a ring to propose to his girlfriend in Jerusalem. President Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed their condolences and offered prayers.
Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that D.C. Police and the FBI will be investigating the incident. She emphasized that antisemitism will not be tolerated. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the tragic event. The FBI confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. The shooting appears to have been a targeted attack, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind this senseless act.
