victims were about to be engaged to be married. 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago yelled “Free Palestine.” Israeli and US officials condemn the act as antisemitic terror.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed that “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. “This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Initial reports indicated that the suspect has been named as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago.
Eyewitnesses said the shooter shouted “Free Palestine” before carrying out the attack.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said the incident was a shooting attack.
“The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism,” he said.
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US 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,” added Danon.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement, “American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. this evening.”
“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,” said Deutch.
Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, said the incident occurred just after 9:00 p.m. Officers located an adult male and adult female not breathing at the scene. Both victims succumbed to their injuries.
