Two Israeli Embassy staff, a person and a lady, had been shot and killed Wednesday night time as they exited the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., officers stated. A suspect is in custody.
In a late-night information convention, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith stated the capturing was reported at 9:08 p.m. native time outdoors the museum, which is situated close to an FBI area workplace.
The scene outdoors the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., after two Israeli embassy employees had been shot and killed on Might 21, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS
Smith stated the suspect, recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, was initially “noticed pacing backwards and forwards outdoors of the museum” earlier than he approached a gaggle of 4 individuals, “produced a handgun,” and shot the 2 victims.
Responding officers arrived on the scene to search out the victims with gunshot wounds, unconscious and never respiration, the D.C. Fireplace and Emergency Medical Providers Division advised CBS Information.
“We imagine the capturing was dedicated by a single suspect who’s now in custody,” Smith stated.
Two legislation enforcement sources advised CBS Information the capturing seems to have been a focused assault.
The suspect entered the museum instantly following the capturing and was arrested by museum safety, the police chief reported.
“The suspect recognized the place he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered,” Smith stated, including that he “implied that he dedicated the offense.”
Smith stated that he “chanted ‘free, free Palestine,’ whereas in custody.”
Yechiel Leiter, Israeli ambassador to the U.S., advised reporters the 2 victims had been a pair about to grow to be engaged.
“The couple that was gunned down tonight within the title of Free Palestine was a younger couple about to be engaged,” Leiter stated. “The younger man bought a hoop this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend subsequent week in Jerusalem. They had been a stupendous couple who got here to get pleasure from a night in Washington’s cultural middle.”
Leiter stated he spoke to President Trump by cellphone following the capturing, as did U.S. Legal professional Common Pam Bondi, who attended the information convention and earlier stated that she responded to the scene of the capturing.
“I spoke to the president of the US a number of occasions tonight,” Bondi stated. “On behalf of the president, his prayers are with all of us, all the Jewish neighborhood, all of us in Washington, D.C.”
Mr. Trump later wrote on Fact Social that, “These horrible D.C. killings, primarily based clearly on antisemitism, should finish, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism don’t have any place within the USA. Condolences to the households of the victims. So unhappy that things like this will occur! God Bless You ALL!”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated D.C. Police and the FBI can be investigating.
“We won’t tolerate antisemitism,” Bowser stated, later including that “the FBI’s position in fact as at all times when there may be any chance of a terrorist act, or acts motivated by hate or different bias, the FBI can be conducting these investigations.”
Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem wrote on X that “two Israeli Embassy employees had been senselessly killed tonight close to the Jewish Museum in Washington DC.”
FBI Director Kash Patel additionally wrote on social media that “my staff and I’ve been briefed on the capturing tonight in downtown DC outdoors the Capital Jewish Museum and close to our Washington Subject Workplace.” Patel stated the FBI was working with Metropolitan police on the investigation.
“There isn’t any ongoing menace to public security,” the FBI Washington Subject Workplace wrote on X.
In a press release, Israeli President President Isaac Herzog known as the capturing a “despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism,” including, “America and Israel will stand united in protection of our individuals and our shared values. Terror and hate won’t break us.”
Extra from CBS Information
Kierra Frazier