Paige Siegel, an eyewitness to the tragic shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC on Wednesday, unknowingly spoke to the suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, moments after the attack, mistaking his shaken demeanor for that of a harmless bystander, CNN reported.
The shooting unfolded at approximately 9:08 p.m. ET near Third Street and F Street Northwest, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, during the American Jewish Committee's "Young Diplomats Reception." The event, themed "turning pain into purpose," brought together young professionals and diplomats from 6:30 to 9 p.m. ET. The victims, leaving the sold-out gathering, were fatally shot, prompting a swift response from authorities due to the proximity of the FBI's Washington Field Office.
Siegel's firsthand account illuminates the suspect's actions immediately after the shooting. Unaware of his role, she spoke to Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, inside the museum, where he had fled. She described him as "so shaken" that he appeared harmless, leading her to initially mistake him for a bystander.
Siegel's perception shifted when police arrived roughly 10 minutes later. As Rodriguez was apprehended, she told CNN she heard him shout "Free Palestine!" revealing his involvement. His later statement to police, "I did it for Gaza," suggests a possible ideological motive linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sara Marinuzzi, another eyewitness, noted Rodriguez pretended to be a witness for over 10 minutes before admitting, "I did it for Gaza. Free Palestine!" aligning with Siegel's observations.
Rodriguez, previously unknown to law enforcement, was detained by event security inside the museum. He directed authorities to his discarded handgun, which was recovered, and admitted his involvement while chanting "Free Free Palestine," according to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces and DC Metropolitan Police are interviewing Rodriguez and analyzing evidence at the FBI's Washington Field Office. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed no active threat remains, reassuring the community.
Police received multiple calls about the shooting and found the victims – a man and a woman – unconscious and not breathing. Despite efforts by DC Fire and EMS, both succumbed to their injuries.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith said authorities received "multiple calls" for a shooting near Third Street and F Street Northwest around 9:08 p.m. ET. with responding officers discovering two adults – one male and one female – at the scene.
"Officers located one adult male and one adult female unconscious and not breathing at the scene," Smith stated. Despite emergency responders' attempts to save them, Smith confirmed that "both victims succumbed to their injuries."
The Israeli ambassador to the US revealed that the deceased were a couple who had been planning to become engaged. They were among four people approached by the gunman as they departed from the museum event.
Prior to the attack, security footage showed the suspect Illinois, pacing back and forth outside the museum. According to information provided to CNN, Rodriguez opened fire with a handgun before entering the museum.
Event security personnel detained Rodriguez inside the building. After being handcuffed, the suspect directed security to the location where he had discarded his weapon, which authorities subsequently recovered.
While in custody, Rodriguez reportedly chanted "Free free Palestine." Police officials informed CNN that Rodriguez had no prior contact with law enforcement and is believed to have acted alone in the attack.
President Donald Trump offered condolences on Truth Social, stating, "Antisemitism, hatred, and Radicalism have no place in the USA." Attorney General Pam Bondi, who visited the scene, pledged federal cooperation with DC authorities to ensure safety.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack "a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence." US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled it a "horrific act of terror," and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as a "sickening" instance of antisemitism.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity, stating that America and Israel "will stand united" in defending shared values. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared, "Israel will not surrender to terrorism," after discussions with Huckabee.
The attack has heightened concerns within the Jewish community. Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, urged resilience, advocating for "proud, open, Jewish lives." Federal and local authorities are prioritizing security, particularly for the Jewish community, with FBI police officers' rapid response highlighting robust coordination.
Authorities are examining Rodriguez's background and potential affiliations, with his statements and recovered weapon central to the probe.. Attorney General Bondi emphasized federal commitment to safety, stating that agencies will "work hand-in-hand" with DC authorities to protect citizens, especially the Jewish community.
"This murder didn't happen in a vacuum, but is the direct result of the incessant hatred by those who call to "Globalize the Intifada", Campaign Against Antisemitism CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa said, adding that anyone who "wondered about the context of whether a particular chant was hate speech or antisemitic, this is what it looks like when physically manifested." He stressed that CAM "has warned about the growing violence of the far-Left, and now it seems that our deepest fears have come true." According to CAM's statement, "the murderer did not know his victims were Israeli, he just knew they attended a Jewish event. When we say that the anti-Semites don't hate Jews because of Israel, but rather, they hate Israel because it is the Jewish homeland, this is what we mean."
CAM pointed to its annual Antisemitism data report, showing that "the most prominent characteristic of antisemitic incidents was the overwhelming dominance of far-Left ideology," which they say is a "decisive shift from 2023."
