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A tragic shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of two Israeli embassy staff on Wednesday night in what authorities describe as a targeted act of violence fueled by antisemitic motivations.
The victims, a young couple, were gunned down outside the museum around 9:05 p.m. local time, shortly after attending a Jewish community event. According to police, the suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, opened fire on a group of four people, killing the couple before entering the museum, where he was stopped by security.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith confirmed that Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting. After his arrest, he was heard chanting "Free, free Palestine," according to officials.
The shooting occurred in a heavily trafficked area of the city, surrounded by federal buildings, including the FBI's Washington field office. The incident led to an immediate lockdown in parts of the city and a major law enforcement response. Georgetown University's D.C. campus was temporarily shut down as a precaution.
At a news conference, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter revealed emotional details about the victims. The male victim had reportedly purchased an engagement ring earlier in the week and planned to propose during an trip to Jerusalem. The couple's identities have not yet been released.
"This was a senseless and brutal act," said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who called the killings "depraved" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice."
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, condemned the attack as "a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism," emphasizing that targeting diplomats and the Jewish community is "crossing a red line."
A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy, Tal Naim Cohen, confirmed that the staffers were shot at close range while leaving the event. "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 American Jewish Committee (AJC) also confirmed that it was hosting the event at the museum. AJC CEO Ted Deutch expressed deep sorrow, stating, "We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. Our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."
President Donald Trump responded to the attack on Truth Social, calling it a result of growing antisemitism. "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he wrote.
The Capital Jewish Museum, like many Jewish institutions across the U.S., has faced mounting security concerns. Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz previously acknowledged the museum's efforts to strengthen safety measures amid increasing threats. "Jewish institutions... are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents," she told NBC News before the attack, noting that the museum had recently received a grant to bolster security, in part due to an exhibit on LGBTQ+ pride.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet determined a specific motive, but officials are treating the incident as a likely hate crime. The case has further fueled conversations about rising antisemitism and the need for increased protection of Jewish institutions and communities in the United States.