In a devastating event that unfolded on May 21, two Israeli embassy staff members were fatally shot as they were leaving the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Authorities quickly responded to the scene, where the victims, one man and one woman, were found unconscious and not breathing. Despite emergency efforts by D.C. fire and EMS, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. ET, as the victims were exiting an event at the museum. Initial investigations suggest that a single gunman was responsible for the attack. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was seen pacing near the museum before approaching a group of four people and opening fire. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where security detained him. During his arrest, he reportedly shouted, “Free, free Palestine.”
The tragic incident has drawn widespread condemnation. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed concern that the shooting would instill fear both in the local community and across the nation. “We will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city,” Bowser declared at a press conference. “We will stand together as a community to send a clear message that we will not tolerate antisemitism.”
The Israeli embassy quickly confirmed the identities of the victims, describing them as a young couple who were about to be engaged. Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, explained that the young man had purchased a ring just this week, planning to propose in Jerusalem the following week. “They were a beautiful couple, just trying to enjoy a night in Washington’s cultural center,” Leiter said during a press briefing.
Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli embassy, emphasized that the staff members were shot at “close range” during the event at the Capitol Jewish Museum. Cohen expressed full confidence in the law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, to apprehend the shooter and to ensure the safety of Israel’s representatives and the Jewish communities across the U.S.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded to the scene, working alongside local authorities. Although no immediate threat to public safety has been identified, the incident has been classified as an ongoing investigation. There have been no prior threats indicating that this was a terrorist act or a hate crime, according to Chief Smith.
International leaders also weighed in on the tragic loss. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attack as a “despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism” and expressed his support for the victims’ families. “Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered,” Herzog said. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, confirmed that federal authorities are fully engaged in the investigation, promising to bring the perpetrator to justice. “Please pray for the families of the victims,” Noem wrote on social media, offering condolences.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also took to social media, denouncing the killings as an act driven by antisemitism. “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” Trump said on Truth Social. “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, condemned the violence, calling it a breach of the “red line” against harming diplomats and the Jewish community. “We are confident that U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible,” Danon said. Israel, he added, would continue to protect its citizens and representatives globally.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington also condemned the violence. “We are horrified by the shooting and mourn the loss of the two individuals killed in the attack,” the Federation said in a statement. It expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and indicated that they were working closely with law enforcement and Jewish organizations to uncover more details.
This shooting occurs amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have drawn global criticism and increased antisemitism in some areas. Since the start of the conflict, over 53,000 people have been killed, and nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced. The violent surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia has raised concerns, leading to a stronger law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., and other cities across the U.S.
