A pro-Palestinian individual is now in custody following accusations of killing two staff members from the Israeli embassy as they were departing an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening, according to authorities.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith announced during a news conference that officers reacted to several reports of a shooting near the museum at approximately 9:08 p.m. on Wednesday.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered an unconscious man and woman who were not breathing. Despite the life-saving efforts by first responders, Smith stated both were declared dead.
A 30-year-old man identified as Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, is believed to have committed the act alone and is in custody, Smith said, adding that his gun was also recovered.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, has been taken into custody in connection with the deadly shooting. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in the capital, confirmed to Fox News that two diplomats were shot “at close range” while an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) was taking place at the museum.
“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,” Cohen said.
The event at the museum was for young Jewish professionals who work in foreign policy and had a panel discussion focused on finding humanitarian solutions for Gaza, Fox News learned.
Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said the two victims were dating and on the verge of engagement. Leiter said the man had just purchased a ring “with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.”
Federal and local law enforcement at the site where two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead after leaving the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS is “actively investigating” the incident and “working to get more information to share.”
“Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” Noem wrote on X.
The FBI’s Washington office said it is investigating the “heinous crime” for ties to potential terrorism or hate crime motivation. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, said the deadly shooting was a “depraved act of anti-Semitic(sic) terrorism” in a statement posted to X late Wednesday night.
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world,” he wrote.
Steven Jensen, the FBI’s Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office, said the agency will be investigating the “heinous crime” for hate crime motivation or ties to potential terrorism.
