WASHINGTON – Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed near the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night, D.C. police say.
A suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, has been arrested in connection to the shooting.
What we know:
Police say the double shooting happened around 9:15 p.m. in the 300 block of F Street, NW.
Prior to the shooting, witnesses reported seeing the suspect pacing outside the museum. He then allegedly approached a group of four people and shot the two victims.
Police say the suspect then entered the museum where he was detained by event security. While in handcuffs he chanted “free, free Palestine.”
Additionally, police say he explained where he hid the gun used in the shooting and “he implied he committed the offense.”
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter didn’t identify the victims by name during the press conference Wednesday night but did say they were to be engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 reached out to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), as they were hosting the event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
In a statement, they told FOX 5, “American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. this evening. We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X following the shooting, saying that DHS will be part of the investigation and will “bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies released a statement on Monday condemning the shooting.
“I am horrified by the deadly act of anti-Semitic violence at an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. As we await additional details, it is clear that too many of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately fear for their safety in this country simply as a result of their faith. Antisemitism has no place in our nation,” he said, in part. “America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need.”
What’s next:
It’s not yet clear what charges Rodriguez will face, or if this incident will be investigated as a hate crime or even an act of terrorism. But during Wednesday night’s press conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser alluded to it.
“I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city. We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism and we’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” she said.
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