Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC were fatally shot Wednesday evening near the Capital Jewish Museum, with authorities detaining a suspect who reportedly chanted anti-Israel slogans after the attack.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the deaths in a statement on social media. "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," Noem said in a post on X. "We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share."
Video: The arrest of the suspect at the scene of the killing / Credit: Social media
CNN reported that Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith addressed the incident at a news conference, stating that investigators believe a single suspect, now in custody, carried out the shooting. "Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum," Smith said, before the suspect "approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire striking both of our decedents." According to Smith, the suspect entered the museum after the shooting where event security detained him. While in custody, the suspect repeatedly chanted "Free, Free Palestine," Smith revealed.
The victims were identified as embassy staff members who had a romantic relationship, CNN noted. Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter described them as a "young couple about to be engaged," during the news conference. "A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter added, highlighting the personal tragedy behind the attack.
According to a witness who spoke to Fox News, security guards let him in to the event premises, thinking he was a victim who was running for safety and even offered him water, after which he confessed to the crime after asking to speak with the cops, while saying, "Free Palestine! There's only one solution – Intifada revolution." The witness, Yoni Kalin said the shooter executed the victims by shooting from the back with "five to 10 shots."
In a statement released after the incident, Israeli Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending a Jewish event at the museum, CNN reported. The Israeli ambassador was not present at the location during the shooting, according to an embassy spokesperson who spoke with CNN.
The suspect is a 30-year-old man from Chicago called Elias Rodriguez. His gun was also recovered during his arrest.
CNN mentioned that US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Israeli Ambassador Leiter was also present at the site following the shooting.
The American Jewish Committee was hosting an event at the museum when the attack occurred, CNN noted. Ted Deutch, the organization's CEO, released a statement expressing shock over the violence. "We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue," he said. "At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."
President Donald Trump condemned the attack on social media, CNN reported. "These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims," Trump wrote on X.
"These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!" —President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Z30bjAQOpZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 22, 2025
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon characterized the incident as a hate crime, according to CNN. In a statement posted on X, Danon said: "The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."
