Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. The victims, a young couple, were gunned down by a man later identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago.
Eyewitnesses said the shooter approached a group of four people before opening fire, killing a man and a woman instantly. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where private security detained him. During his arrest, he reportedly chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
Authorities confirmed that the two victims worked for the Israeli embassy. The couple had planned to get engaged in Jerusalem the following week. The man had already purchased a ring and intended to propose during their trip.
The shooting occurred outside a venue hosting a Young Diplomats reception organized by a Jewish advocacy group. Attendees were evacuated after the incident, and police sealed off the area.
The police are treating the incident as a possible hate crime. The FBI has joined the investigation. Officials have not confirmed whether the suspect knew the victims or had any direct connection to them.
President Donald Trump condemned the killings as an anti-Semitic attack and called for an end to such violence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also denounced the shooting, calling it a hate-driven act.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock over the attack. He announced increased security measures at Israeli embassies and consulates around the world in response.
The Israeli embassy mourned the loss of its staff, describing them as dedicated professionals who served with honor. Family members and colleagues are devastated by the tragedy.
The shooting has heightened security concerns among Jewish communities and diplomatic missions across the United States. The court is expected to formally charge the suspect in the coming days.
