The suspect within the deadly capturing of two Israeli embassy workers members exterior of an occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, chanted “Free, Free Palestine” after being taken into custody,” D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith stated.
One man and one girl — each workers members on the Israeli Embassy — have been shot and killed as they exited an occasion on Wednesday night time, officers stated.
“Two workers members of the Israeli embassy have been shot this night at shut vary whereas attending a Jewish occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC,” Israeli Embassy in Washington spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen stated in an announcement Wednesday night time.
“We now have full religion in regulation enforcement authorities on each the native and federal ranges to apprehend the shooter and defend Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities all through america,” the assertion continued.
The suspect, recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was promptly taken into custody on the scene and is being questioned by police, Smith stated.
After the capturing, Rodriguez tried to enter the constructing the place the occasion was happening and was stopped by occasion safety, Smith stated.
As soon as in custody, he implied that he had dedicated the capturing and started to chant, “free, free Palestine,” Smith stated.
He additionally defined the place he had allegedly ditched the gun used within the capturing, which was promptly recovered, in keeping with officers.
D.C. police are seen on the scene of a capturing Could 21, 2025.
WJLA
“There is no such thing as a energetic risk,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated throughout the press convention on the Metropolitan Police Division.
“I wish to be clear that we’ll not tolerate this violence or hate in our metropolis. We is not going to tolerate any acts of terrorism, and we’ll stand collectively as a group within the coming days and weeks to ship a transparent message that we’ll not tolerate anti-Semitism.”
Emergency name facilities started receiving calls round 9:08 p.m. reporting a capturing within the space, Smith stated.
When emergency responders arrived, the person and one girl have been discovered on the scene, not respiration, she continued. Not less than one of many victims was first transported to a neighborhood hospital in vital situation, sources informed ABC Information.
The 2 victims had been exiting the occasion on the museum when the incident occurred, officers confirmed.
“The couple that was gunned down tonight have been about to be engaged,” Israeli ambassador to america Yechiel Leiter stated on the press convention. “The younger man bought a hoop this week with the intention of proposing subsequent week in Jerusalem.”
He additionally shared that he had obtained a name from President Donald Trump on Wednesday night, pledging the help of the U.S. in combating anti-Semitism.
Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, confirmed with ABC Information that the AJC had hosted an occasion on the museum on Wednesday night time, including, “We’re devastated that an unspeakable act of violence passed off exterior the venue. At this second, as we await extra info from the police about precisely what transpired, our consideration and our hearts are solely with those that have been harmed and their households.”
The incident passed off close to the FBI subject workplace in D.C. A prime spokesperson for the FBI posted on X that there was a bureau presence on the scene working at the side of the Metropolitan Police Division.
“FBI personnel are on the scene working with MPD to reply. We’ll have an announcement quickly and share extra info as we’re in a position,” Ben Williamson wrote.
United States Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi and Interim U.S. Legal professional for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro went to the scene shortly after the incident, Bondi stated in a publish on X.
“Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to be taught extra,” she wrote.
Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, referred to as the capturing a “wicked act of anti-Semitic terrorism” in a post on X.
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish group is crossing a pink line,” he wrote.
United States Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem said on X, “We’re actively investigating and dealing to get extra info to share. Please pray for the households of the victims. We’ll convey this wicked perpetrator to justice.”
This can be a growing story. Please verify again for updates.
