Anti-Israel Shooting in Washington: What We Currently Know
On Wednesday evening, two employees of the Israeli embassy were killed in a shooting that occurred outside an event held by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The location is approximately one mile from both the White House and the U.S. Capitol.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch stated that they are deeply saddened by the violent act that occurred outside the venue. He added that as they await further details from the police, their thoughts are with those who were injured and their families.
Around midnight local time, about three hours after the incident, officials released initial details regarding the attack. This included information about the victims, the suspect who is in custody, and the ongoing investigations. Officials confirmed that there is no current threat.
Here’s what is currently known.
Who were the victims?
The shooting, which happened near 3rd and F Street NW, resulted in the deaths of a man and a woman. Their identities have not yet been released to the public. Other individuals, including staff from the Israeli embassy, sustained injuries.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on X that the deceased were “Israeli Embassy staff.” Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, mentioned at a press conference that the victims were a young couple, planning to get engaged, who attended the event as guests.
What do we know about the suspect?
According to D.C. police chief Pamela A. Smith, police believe that 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago is the sole suspect in the shooting.
Smith stated that the suspect was seen walking back and forth outside the museum before he approached a group of four individuals, pulled out a handgun, and began shooting. An eyewitness who spoke to CNN reported that, after the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and initially identified himself as a witness before confessing to being the shooter. Officials stated that Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” prior to being apprehended by event security. He is currently in police custody.
Smith refrained from commenting on Rodriguez’s motive due to the active investigation but confirmed that Rodriguez was not previously known to the police.
How has Israel reacted?
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, described the shooting as “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism” in a statement.
Danon added that they are confident that U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this crime. He also stated that Israel will continue to protect its citizens and representatives worldwide.
“The people of Israel are resilient people, the people of the United States of America are resilient people. Together we won’t be afraid,” Leiter said at the briefing. “Together, we’ll stand and we’re going to overcome the moral depravity of people who think that they’re going to achieve political gains through murder.”
How has the U.S. responded?
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! 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!”
Leiter stated at the briefing that he spoke with President Donald Trump, who assured him that “his Administration is going to do everything they can possibly do to fight and end antisemitism and the hatred that’s being directed and the demonization and delegitimization of the state of Israel.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she visited the scene of the shooting. “Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” Bondi posted on X. Bondi stated at the briefing that she had spoken to Trump several times and that “his prayers are with all of us.”
Bondi added that local, state, and federal agencies “will be doing everything in our power to keep all citizens safe, especially tonight, our Jewish community.”
“We will follow the facts, we will follow the law, and this defendant charged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Bondi said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones. This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”
What’s the status of the investigation?
Steve Jensen, the assistant director in charge at the FBI’s Washington Field Office, stated at the briefing that the FBI is investigating “ties to potential terrorism or motivation based on a bias-based crime or a hate crime.”
All homicides in D.C. are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for D.C., a role currently held by Trump appointee, former judge, and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro since last week.
Smith stated that the police had not received any prior intelligence indicating an impending terrorist act or hate crime in D.C.
“We have a long history and a lot of practice in our city of working with Jewish organizations around safety and around protection, and we watch global events, national events and local events,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at the briefing. “Our organizations work directly with MPD and MPD responds with additional resources, so I know the chief will spend tonight and tomorrow, and we’ll be talking to all of our organizations, from schools to synagogues to other organizations.”
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