Jewish Museum shooting suspect identified by police after two people killed in harrowing Washington DC attack
The suspect who allegedly carried out an attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC that left two people dead has been identified as a 30-year-old from Chicago.
On Wednesday local time, police received multiple calls shortly after 9pm about a shooting in the area of Third Street NW and F Street NW in Washington DC.
Upon arrival, officers found an adult male and female unconscious and not breathing at the scene.
The pair ultimately succumbed to their injuries and rescue crews were unable to revive them.
Initial investigations indicate the victims were leaving an event at the museum at the time.
Police said during a press conference they believe the crime was committed by a single suspect, Chicago man Elias Rodriguez, and he is now in custody.
The suspect is understood to have been pacing "back and forth" outside the museum, before he opened fire on a group of four people, where he struck the two people who were killed.
He entered the museum after the shooting, where he was detained by event security.
Police chief Pamela A Smith said the suspect "implied" he committed the crime.
When he was in handcuffs, he shouted "free, free Palestine" and also told officers where he discarded the weapon, which has since been retrieved.
The Metropolitan Police Department is leading the investigation with the help of the FBI.
The FBI said it would be looking into ties to "potential terrorism" or "motivation based on a bias-based or hate crime".
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said the two people who were killed were a couple, and that the man was planning to propose to his partner.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the attack was a "despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism".
"Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered and our immediate prayers are with the injured. I send my full support to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff," he said.
US President Donald Trump commented on the incident in a post on Truth Social.
"These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he said.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, said an event was taking place at the museum and the deadly shooting was a "depraved act of anti-Semitic(sic) terrorism" in a statement posted to X late Wednesday night.
"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," he wrote.
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