Two Israeli Embassy staffers killed in Washington shooting

Myles Miller and John Harney, Bloomberg News on May 22, 2025

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Two members of the Israeli embassy’s staff were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday night, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

A single suspect is in custody, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters, adding that the individual chanted “Free Free Palestine” while in custody. Police identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, Illinois.

The shooting drew immediate bipartisan condemnation in Washington.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the U.S.A. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen!”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the act “seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society.”

The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. near Third Street and F Street NW, near Georgetown University’s Law School and the FBI’s Washington field office, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the victims were a young couple who planned to become engaged next week in Jerusalem.

“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center,” he said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser assured the public there was no ongoing threat and condemned the incident.

“This horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country, and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city,” Bowser said. “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 antisemitism.”

The FBI is assisting in the investigation to determine potential ties to terrorism or hate crimes, said Steve Jensen, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the suspect, if charged, would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.