Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed In Shooting Outside Jewish Museum In D.C.
Two Israeli embassy staffers were killed in a shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, in an incident that Israeli officials have described as an “act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
FBI agents cordon off the scene outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two ... More people dead, in Washington, D.C.
AFP via Getty ImagesIn a post on X, Noem said: “We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share…We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
The American Jewish Committee said it was hosting an event at the museum when the shooting occurred, and added: “We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue.”
In a press conference around midnight, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said investigators believe the shooting was carried out by a single person “who is now in custody.”
Smith said the shooter was seen “pacing” outside the museum before the incident and later he approached a group of four people and opened fire with a hand gun “striking both of our decedents.”
The shooter was detained by security at the event when he tried to enter the museum.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene of the shooting with Jeanine Pirro, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, adding, “Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more.”
Smith said police have “tentatively identified” the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago. After he was taken into custody, the suspect chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., spoke at the D.C. Metropolitan Police’s press conference and said that the victims were a “young couple about to be engaged.” He said “the young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.” In a post on X, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said: “The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.” He said Israel was “confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.” An Israeli embassy spokesperson added that the staff members were shot “at close range and added: “We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment of the Israeli diplomat, saying: “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!”
2 Israeli Embassy staff shot and killed in front of Capital Jewish Museum in DC (NBC News)
Two Israeli Embassy staff members killed outside Jewish museum in Washington, DC (CNN)
