Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Murdered By Man Shouting ‘Free Palestine’ In DC

Two Israeli embassy staff were shot and killed outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. around 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday night by a man shouting “Free Palestine,” police said.

The attack came outside the Young Diplomats Reception 2025 hosted for young Jewish professionals by the American Jewish Committee, and two staffers were shot at close range, according to a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy.

D.C. police chief Pamela Smith said that both victims died on the scene after being shot by 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who is now in custody.

“The suspect chanted free, free Palestine while in custody,” Smith said. “The suspect is 30-year-year Elias Rodriguez of Chicago.”

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith provided an update on the Israeli couple who were murdered tonight in D.C.

She stated that the shooter is 30-year-old Elias Rodrigues of Chicago, who is now in custody. pic.twitter.com/pKXA9R9HBm

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 22, 2025

The FBI said there is “no ongoing threat to public safety” in a statement.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” President Donald Trump posted on Thursday night. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she was on the scene of the “horrible shooting,” where she was joined by DC U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro after the incident.

Speaking at the news conference, Bondi said the suspect Rodriguez will be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“We’ll be doing everything in our power to keep all citizens safe—especially tonight, our Jewish community,” Bondi said. “Our prayers go out.”

According to Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, the two Israeli embassy staff killed tonight were a young couple who were about to get engaged.

“The couple that was gunned down in tonight in the name of free Palestine is a couple that was about to be engaged,”  he said. “The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center.”

Israeli Amb. Yechiel Leiter says the Israelis murdered were a young couple.

"The couple that was gunned down in tonight in the name of free Palestine is a couple that was about to be engaged. The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing." pic.twitter.com/AolvLgWG1p

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 22, 2025

President Donald Trump called Leiter after the incident and promised justice, Leiter said.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the shooting in a statement.

“We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” she tweeted. “Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called the murder a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,”

“Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” Danon said. “We are confident that the U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”

The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against… pic.twitter.com/mVyXHjGyxU

— Danny Danon ???????? דני דנון (@dannydanon) May 22, 2025

“American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. this evening,” AJC CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement. “We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”

The attacker reportedly entered the event after the shooting and asked for water and a safe space before putting on a keffiyeh and shouting free Palestine, a witness said, according to Jewish Insider editor in chief Josh Kraushaar.