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Two Israeli Embassy staff members were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, in what authorities are investigating as a possible targeted attack.
The victims, identified as a young couple about to become engaged, were shot at close range as they exited an event at the museum located at 3rd and F Streets NW. The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was taken into custody at the scene.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said Rodriguez was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting. After opening fire on a group of four people, he walked into the museum where event security detained him.
"When he was taken into custody, the suspect began chanting, 'Free, free Palestine,'" Smith said during a news conference. The suspect had no previous contact with police, she added.
Rodriguez pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled "Free Palestine" when police arrived, according to witnesses inside the museum.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter revealed the victims were a young couple about to get engaged.
"The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter said, describing them as a "beautiful couple" who had come to enjoy an evening in Washington's cultural center.
Israeli Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen confirmed both victims were attending the Jewish event when they were targeted and shot "at close range."
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting on his Truth Social platform early Thursday, calling it antisemitic.
"These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," Trump wrote. "Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen!"
Leiter said Trump personally called him through Attorney General Pam Bondi, vowing his administration would "do everything it can possibly do to fight and end antisemitism."
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the shooting "depraved" and pledged justice for the victims, describing it as a possible act of antisemitic terrorism.
"We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice," Noem said in a post on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed he and his team had been briefed on the shooting and were working with the Metropolitan Police Department to respond and investigate.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro were at the shooting scene. Pirro's office will prosecute the case.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon described the attack as "a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."
"Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Danon said. "We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the incident "a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism" in his statement.
"This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy," Herzog said. "America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us."
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