Two young employees of the Embassy of Israel in the US were murdered on Wednesday night, local time, at the doors of the Jewish Museum of Washington DC, where a party was taking place. The shooter, a 30-year-old man from Chicago named Elias Rodríguez according to authorities, shouted slogans in favor of Palestine's liberation while being detained.
The shooting occurred at 9:05 local time between 3rd and F streets, an area with numerous tourist sites, museums, and government buildings, including the FBI field office in the capital. "Two Embassy of Israel employees were shot at point-blank range this afternoon while attending a Jewish event at the Jewish Museum Capital of Washington DC. We have full confidence that both local and federal law enforcement authorities will protect Israel's representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States," confirmed Tal Naim Cohen, embassy spokesperson.
At a midnight press conference, the city's mayor, Muriel Bowser, accompanied by the country's attorney general, Pam Bondi, the Israeli ambassador, and the metropolitan police officials, explained that "the horrific incident has terrified many people but does not pose an ongoing threat."
Initial investigations indicate that the man, who had been loitering in the vicinity for a while, approached a group of four people leaving the party and without any reason or argument, pulled out a gun and started shooting. After shooting the two victims, he reportedly entered the Museum and was detained by security. Once handcuffed, he shouted "free, free Palestine," and according to the Police Chief, he indicated that he was the perpetrator.
A video from a bystander shows the moment security forces in the building immobilize the alleged perpetrator, a young man with a beard, glasses, a navy blue suit, white shirt, and sneakers, shouting in support of Palestine as they remove him from the building.
The deceased were a couple who were about to get engaged, as explained by the visibly affected ambassador. "Two Embassy of Israel employees were senselessly murdered tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. We are actively investigating and working to obtain more information. Please pray for the victims' families. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice," promised Kristi Noem, Homeland Security official in the federal government. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, described the incident on social media as a "depraved act of antisemitic terrorism," blaming the recent protests against Israel's actions in Gaza for creating the climate for an attack.
The museum was hosting an event for young people working in foreign policy sponsored by the American Jewish Committee, focusing on multi-religious initiatives to address the humanitarian situation in Israel and Gaza. "We can confirm that we organized an event at the Museum tonight," stated the group's executive director, Ted Deutch. "We are devastated by the heinous act of violence that occurred outside the premises. At this moment, as we await more information from the police about what happened, our attention and unwavering support are with the victims and their families."
A witness told the Jewish Insider that, after the shooting, the man entered the museum saying he needed water and a safe place before pulling out a keffiyeh and shouting: "Free Palestine!". The police detained him, removed him from the building, and are investigating the motives, the origin of the weapon (which has been located), and whether he acted alone.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the world is witnessing the "terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel." "We are seeing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. Blood libels against Israel are on the rise and must be fought to the end," the prime minister asserted in a statement shared by his office.
"These horrible murders in DC, obviously based on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and radicalism have no place in the US. My condolences to the victims' families. It is so sad that things like this can happen. God bless you ALL!" posted Donald Trump on his Truth Social account after the incident.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that authorities "will find those responsible" for the deadly shooting. "It has been a brazen act of cowardly and antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will find those responsible and bring them to justice," he posted on X.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed being "shocked" by the murder. "I am shocked by what has happened in Washington (...) The United States and Israel will remain united to defend our peoples and our common values. Terrorism and hatred will not break us," he stated in a release.