Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old man from Chicago, has been identified as the suspect in the deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Authorities confirmed that Rodriguez had no prior contact with law enforcement before the incident.
The shooting left two Israeli embassy staff members — a man and a woman believed to be a couple — dead near the intersection of 3rd and F Streets NW, close to the museum, an FBI field office, and the U.S. attorney’s office.
Washington D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith stated that Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the attack. After being taken into custody, he reportedly chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine.”
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, said the victims were shot “at close range” while attending a Jewish cultural event. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon condemned the incident, calling it “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism” and expressed confidence in the U.S. taking strong action.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged full federal support for the investigation. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, calling the incident an act of antisemitism and urging an end to such hatred and violence in the country.
A weapon was recovered at the scene, and the motive remains under investigation.
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