FBI agents cordon off the scene outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two people dead, in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2025. Two Israeli embassy staff members were killed near a Jewish museum in Washington late Wednesday May 21, US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” she posted on X. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Wroblewski | Afp | Getty Images
Two staff members of Israel’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot dead outside the district’s Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night, officials said.
A suspect was taken into custody, Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference. He was identified as Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations called the incident a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
The victims were exiting the museum, which was hosting an event, when they were gunned down around 9 p.m., Smith said. He shouted, “Free, free Palestine” while in custody and “implied” that he committed the shooting, Smith said.
The man had been pacing back and forth outside the museum when he approached a group of four and opened fire using a handgun, the chief said. He then entered the museum, where he was detained by security.
President Donald Trump condemned the violence.
“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!” he shared on social media.
Officials decried the shooting as details emerged.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said on X, “Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that she was at the scene. She offered prayers to the victims.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was working with metro police to learn more and asked for prayers for the victims and their families.
“This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is Jewish, said on X.