Couple 'about to be engaged' killed by embassy gunman shouting 'Free Palestine'

Daily Mirror

22-05-2025

A man and a woman - both Israeli Embassy staff - have been shot dead in the street of a busy city centre near a Jewish museum.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 9.15pm on Wednesday (2.15am Thursday in UK) in the US capital, reports local media. Police officers have warned members of the public to avoid the area around the Capital Jewish Museum in Penn Quarter, Washington DC, following the incident.
Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed a suspect is in custody in connection with the shooting near Capital Jewish Museum that left two dead. Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, IL has been identified as the man who is believed to have shot and killed the two Israeli government employees.
Smith said that the suspect 'approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire striking both of our decedents.' After the shooting, Smith said that the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. The suspect chanted 'Free Free Palestine' while in custody, Smith said.
Mayor Muriel Bowser reassured the community that 'there is no active threat.'
Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the US, confirmed the two victims were a couple about to be engaged. No further details about the man and woman, such as their names and their ages, have been disclosed by police at this stage
A man draped in the Israeli flag, bearing a cross and the name "Jesus" at its center, has been photographed gesturing to police officers as they secure the area outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
It comes after Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X: "I am devastated by the scenes in Washington DC. This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy. 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. We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US. America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us."
Donald Trump has sent his condolences to the victims families following the tragic incident that resulted in two Israeli Embassy staff members beeing killed.
Before the shooting the suspect was seen pacing back and forth outside the museum ahead of the shooting, officials said. After the shooting, the gunman entered the museum and was detained by event security, telling them he had discarded the weapon, which was recovered by authorities.
At a press conference he has now been named as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, Illinois. He chanted 'Free free Palestine' while in custody.
Rodriguez was not previously known to police prio to this incident. Police say they believe he was the sole shooter and there is no active threat remaining.
Pam Bondi described the incident as 'horrible' as she confirmed on X that she is at the scene and is 'praying for the victims'.
I am on the scene of the horrible shooting outside the Washington, DC Capital Jewish Museum with @USAttyPirro. Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more.
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser, reassured the community that 'there is no active threat.'
During a news conference Bowser said: " 'I will say up front that there is no active threat in our community.' Bowser went on to share a message of unity: 'We're going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate antisemitism.'
Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed one suspect is in custody in connection with the shooting near Capital Jewish Museum. Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, IL has been identified as the man who shot and killed the two Israeli government employees.
Smith said that the suspect 'approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire striking both of our decedents.'
After the shooting, Smith said that the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. The suspect chanted 'Free Free Palestine' while in custody, Smith said.
The two people shot Wednesday night near the the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC were a 'young couple about to be engaged,' according to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the US.
'The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of 'Free Palestine,' was a young couple about to be engaged. A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple,' Leiter said.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending the event at the museum.
"We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel's representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States," said spokesman Tal Naim Cohen.
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel has asked the public to pray for the victims.
Kash Patel became the ninth Director of the FBI on February 20, 2025. Prior to being confirmed as the Director of the FBI, Mr. Patel founded The Kash Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that raises money for legal defense matters, education programs, and financial assistance for all Americans, with a special emphasis on active-duty military, veterans, and law enforcement communities.
My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office. While we're working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep…
A large number of emergency service vehicles remain at the scene. In a statement, D.C. police urged members of the public to avoid the vicinity as the investigation continues.
The DC Police Department has confirmed a press conference will take place shortly - during which more information about the shooting will be released to the public.
Alert: Shooting investigation in the area of 3rd and F Street NW. Avoid the area. Details to come.
Multiple sources are suggesting the shooting was terror-related. The Mirror is working to verify this.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has tweeted: "The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Attacking 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."