2 Israeli Embassy Staff Members Killed in DC Shooting Outside Jewish Museum

Shooting Outside DC Jewish Museum Leaves Two Israeli Embassy Employees Dead Two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC were killed Wednesday night in a targeted shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum, authorities confirmed. The tragic incident unfolded just blocks from the US Capitol, sparking diplomatic outrage and renewed security concerns. According to DC police, the victims — a young Israeli couple reportedly “about to be engaged” — were shot outside the museum by 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Witnesses said Rodriguez stayed at the scene for over 10 minutes, pretending to be a bystander, before telling arriving officers: “I did it for Gaza.” Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident. Police said he shouted “Free Free Palestine” while being detained. Investigators are treating the case as a potential hate crime and terrorist act, and federal agencies are now involved. Related: Capitol Jewish Museum's History of Jewish-American Advocacy Trump, Herzog, and Israeli Officials Condemn ‘Despicable’ Act President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy via Truth Social, offering condolences to the victims' families and condemning antisemitism. “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA,” he wrote. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she spoke with Trump multiple times and confirmed federal agencies would "work hand-in-hand" with local law enforcement. She pledged to “do everything we can to keep our citizens safe.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a strongly worded statement, calling the incident a “despicable act of hatred and antisemitism.” He vowed unity between the US and Israel in confronting such …

Shooting Outside DC Jewish Museum Leaves Two Israeli Embassy Employees Dead

Two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC were killed Wednesday night in a targeted shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum, authorities confirmed. The tragic incident unfolded just blocks from the US Capitol, sparking diplomatic outrage and renewed security concerns.

According to DC police, the victims — a young Israeli couple reportedly “about to be engaged” — were shot outside the museum by 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Witnesses said Rodriguez stayed at the scene for over 10 minutes, pretending to be a bystander, before telling arriving officers: “I did it for Gaza.”

Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident. Police said he shouted “Free Free Palestine” while being detained. Investigators are treating the case as a potential hate crime and terrorist act, and federal agencies are now involved.

Trump, Herzog, and Israeli Officials Condemn ‘Despicable’ Act

President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy via Truth Social, offering condolences to the victims’ families and condemning antisemitism. “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA,” he wrote.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she spoke with Trump multiple times and confirmed federal agencies would “work hand-in-hand” with local law enforcement. She pledged to “do everything we can to keep our citizens safe.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a strongly worded statement, calling the incident a “despicable act of hatred and antisemitism.” He vowed unity between the US and Israel in confronting such threats.

“I am devastated by the scenes in Washington DC,” Herzog said. “Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered… We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US.”

Intensive Investigation Underway

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed he spoke with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who assured him that “an intensive investigation is underway.” Sa’ar called the killing an act of terrorism and emphasized that “Israel will not surrender to terrorism.”

The attack has prompted heightened security around Israeli diplomatic facilities and Jewish institutions in the US.

Law enforcement has not released further details about Rodriguez’s background or any ties to extremist groups. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are reportedly analyzing Rodriguez’s digital footprint and communications.