Further information has surfaced regarding the shooting on Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, resulting in the death of two staff members from the Israeli Embassy. During a recent press conference, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that Elias Rodriquez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, was taken into custody. He is suspected of committing what appears to be a heinous act of anti-Semitism.
Chillingly, multiple sources report that Rodriquez was heard chanting, “Free, free Palestine!” while in custody.
According to D.C. police, the shooting suspect who killed two Israeli embassy staff in DC tonight is in custody.
“The suspect chanted free free Palestine while in custody.”
The suspect is 30-year-year Elias Rodriguez of Chicago.
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 22, 2025
And video has emerged that seems to confirm those reports.
A video acquired by Jewish Insider captures the suspected shooter, identified by the police as Elias Rodriguez, in the museum’s lobby, chanting “free, free Palestine” while being detained and escorted out by officers.
Full story: pic.twitter.com/zZUbTvovFm
— Jewish Insider (@J_Insider) May 22, 2025
Susie Moore from RedState reported late on Wednesday that the shootings transpired outside the Capital Jewish Museum, situated near the FBI headquarters and not far from Capitol Hill.
The attack occurred during a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s DC Young Professional Board.
According to witnesses, a man entered the museum shortly after the shooting, wearing a keffiyeh and shouting “Free Palestine” before being removed by police.
One X user who was at the event at the museum heartbreakingly revealed that it was a symposium for young professionals interested in “the humanitarian situation in Israel & Gaza.”
The AJC event was for young Jewish professionals working in foreign policy. The panel was on multi faith efforts to address the humanitarian situation in Israel & Gaza. The people who lost their lives tonight were young people dedicated to service & alleviating human suffering. https://t.co/F6WE7LjnnI
— Amanda J. Rothschild (@Rothschild_AJ) May 22, 2025
She also confirmed reports that the man and woman killed were, in fact, a couple. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter revealed at the police press conference that the couple, who served on his staff, were soon to be engaged.
“They were a beautiful couple out for an evening in Washington’s cultural center”
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter: the victims were about to be engaged — the young man had bought a ring just this week and planned to propose in Jerusalem next week 💔 pic.twitter.com/Ud2GhO0Irc
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 22, 2025
Local DC news outlets are reporting that several Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino and Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, are on scene as the investigation into the heinous crime gets underway. Bondi participated in the MPD press conference and reassured the Jewish community that everything possible was being done to ensure their safety.
President Trump weighed in on the situation early Thursday morning with a social media post.
“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!”
