What we know about Elias Rodriguez, suspect in Jewish museum shooting
The Israeli foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. Yechiel Leiter, Israeli ambassador to the United States, said the two victims killed were a "young couple about to be engaged."
Rodriguez then entered the museum and was detained by security at the event. He shouted, "Free, free Palestine" while in custody, Smith said. After he was handcuffed, Rodriguez "implied that he committed the offense," Smith said. He also told authorities where he discarded the weapon, which was later recovered, she said.
Rodriguez was being interviewed by the D.C. police and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces team, Deputy FBI Director Don Bongino said overnight.
"Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence," Bongino said in a post to social media.
Here's what we know about the suspect:
Who is Elias Rodriguez?
Rodriguez, 30, is from Chicago, authorities said.
A LinkedIn profile that appears to belong to Rodriguez shows that he works for the Chicago-based American Osteopathic Information Association. His profile and the association's website say he works as an American Osteopathic Association profiles administration specialist.
Updates on the shooting: 'Shocking act of violence': 2 Israeli embassy staffers fatally shot at event
The LinkedIn profile says Rodriguez previously worked as a production and logistics coordinator and an oral history researcher at the History Makers, a nonprofit in Illinois that says it documents and preserves histories of Black Americans.
A biography for Rodriguez on the History Makers' website accessed through the Internet Archive said Rodriguez was born and raised in Chicago and has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. The biography said he lived in the Avondale neighborhood of the city and previously worked as a content writer in the technology space.
The FBI's Washington field office and the Metropolitan Police Department, which are both investigating, did not immediately confirm the profiles belong to Rodriguez. It was not immediately clear if Rodriguez has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. The American Osteopathic Association, the History Makers nonprofit and the University of Illinois at Chicago also did not immediately respond to inquiries from USA TODAY.
What happened in the shooting?
Authorities responded to the shooting just after 9 p.m. on May 21, Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department said. The two victims were exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were shot.
Rodriguez was seen pacing back and forth outside the museum before the shooting, Smith said. He approached a group of four people and fired at the victims, she said.
After firing, the suspect entered the museum and was detained. While in custody, he shouted the chant, "Free, free Palestine," Smith said. Video of Rodriguez being detained shows him repeating the chant multiple times while authorities escort him out of the museum.
Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher told the Associated Press they were inside the museum the night of May 21. They heard gunshots and saw a man come inside looking distressed, they said. Kalin said some people in the museum thought he needed help and brought him water. He later pulled out a red keffiyeh and yelled "Free Palestine," Kalin told the AP.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Reuters
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