Two Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot outside Capital Jewish Museum

DC Mayor, police chief provide update after deadly shooting of Israeli Embassy staff members

D.C. police are investigating after a man and a woman were shot and killed near the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night.

WASHINGTON - Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed near the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night, D.C. police say. 

A suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, has been arrested in connection with the shooting. 

What we know:

Police say the double shooting happened just after 9 p.m. outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in the 300 block of F Street, NW. The museum is just steps away from the FBI's Washington Field Office. 

Prior to the shooting, witnesses reported seeing the suspect pacing outside the museum. He then allegedly approached a group of four people and shot the two victims. 

Police say the suspect then entered the museum where he was detained by event security. While in handcuffs he chanted "free, free Palestine." 

Additionally, police say he explained where he hid the gun used in the shooting and "he implied he committed the offense." 

Authorities say they have not had any interactions with Rodriguez before and MPD Chief Pamela Smith said there was nothing in his background that would have placed him on police radar. 

Smith says Joint Terrorism Task Force is working very closely with the FBI to do a deep dive into his background. She also says the ATF will also be looking into how Rodriguez obtained the gun allegedly used in the shooting.

What they're saying:

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter didn't identify the victims by name during the press conference Wednesday night but did say they were to be engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. 

"The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter said. "They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington's Cultural Center."

FOX 5 reached out to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), as they were hosting the event at the Capital Jewish Museum. 

In a statement, they told FOX 5, "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."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X following the shooting, saying that DHS will be part of the investigation and will "bring this depraved perpetrator to justice." 

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies released a statement on Monday condemning the shooting. 

"I am horrified by the deadly act of anti-Semitic violence at an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. As we await additional details, it is clear that too many of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately fear for their safety in this country simply as a result of their faith. Antisemitism has no place in our nation," he said, in part. "America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need."

President Donald Trump also issued a comment on Truth Social late Wednesday, saying in part, "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."

What's next:

It's not yet clear what charges Rodriguez will face, or if this incident will be investigated as a hate crime or even an act of terrorism. But during Wednesday night's press conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser alluded to it. 

"I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city. We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism and we're going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism," she said. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who now serves as the U.S. attorney in Washington.

Bondi was also present for Wednesday night's press conference. She said Pirro will be prosecuting the case and that "this defendant, if charged, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." 

"We will be doing everything in our power to keep all citizens safe, especially tonight, our Jewish community," Bondi said.