2 Israeli Embassy Workers Killed Outside DC Jewish Museum in Apparent Antisemitic Attack The assailant allegedly yelled “Free Palestine” after shooting the two Israeli Embassy staff members, who were apparently a soon-to-be engaged couple attending a Jewish cultural event in DC By The Media Line Staff Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, […]
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The Media Line: 2 Israeli Embassy Workers Killed Outside DC Jewish Museum in Apparent Antisemitic Attack
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2 Israeli Embassy Workers Killed Outside DC Jewish Museum in Apparent Antisemitic Attack
The assailant allegedly yelled “Free Palestine” after shooting the two Israeli Embassy staff members, who were apparently a soon-to-be engaged couple attending a Jewish cultural event in DC
By The Media Line Staff
Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, were fatally shot Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum after attending an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The shooting occurred just blocks from the White House and US Capitol and is being investigated as a possible hate crime and act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, allegedly approached a group of four people around 9 p.m., drew a handgun, and opened fire, killing a man and a woman. According to Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, the victims were a young couple planning to get engaged.
Rodriguez, who was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting, allegedly entered the building after shooting the couple and was detained by security. According to DC Police Chief Pamela Smith, he chanted “Free, free Palestine” while being taken into custody. No prior intelligence warned of a threat, and Rodriguez was not previously known to law enforcement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and US Attorney for Washington Jeanine Pirro visited the scene shortly after the shooting. Bondi vowed to prosecute the assailant “to the fullest extent of the law.”
The victims were attending a cocktail event for young diplomats and Jewish professionals sponsored by the AJC. According to promotional material, the event featured talks from members of the humanitarian aid organizations IsraAID and the Multifaith Alliance.
The Capital Jewish Museum, where the shooting took place, had recently received a security grant from the city, prompted by concerns related to its identity and a new LGBTQ exhibit.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting in a social media post. “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” he wrote. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the attack “a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism,” adding, “We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US. America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon similarly described the shooting as “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism” and expressed confidence that US authorities would take “strong action.”
The FBI is examining whether the shooting was driven by ideological or religious bias. “Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence,” Dan Bongino, deputy director of the FBI, posted on social media. Steve Jensen of the FBI’s Washington field office said investigators are exploring possible ties to terrorism or hate crimes.
In a statement, AJC head Ted Deutsch said that his organization was “devastated” by the killing. “While we wait for the conclusion of the police investigation—and urge all our friends and allies to do the same—it strongly appears that this was an attack motivated by hate against the Jewish people and the Jewish state. This senseless hate and violence must stop,” he wrote.
This is a developing story.