Two Israeli Embassy Staff Killed in Shooting Outside Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington—a man and a woman—were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night (local time), U.S. authorities have confirmed. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime with strong indications of anti-Semitic motivation.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the attack as a “senseless” act of violence, stating, “Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” she wrote on X.
Pro-Palestine politican AOC calls out the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, after they were shot dead by a PALESTINE ACTIVIST.
“Absolutely nothing justifies the murder of innocents. I am devastated by the killing of two people outside an @AJCGlobal event here… pic.twitter.com/gL0AmqhFNJ
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 22, 2025
According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, the suspect—identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago—was seen loitering near the museum before opening fire with a handgun at a group of four individuals. Two of them, both Israeli diplomatic staff, were fatally shot. Authorities stated that after the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum where he was detained by security personnel. He later directed officers to the location where he had discarded the weapon and reportedly admitted to the shooting.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.” – Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security. pic.twitter.com/T74F4SkHvI
— End Time Signs (@end_timesigns) May 22, 2025
During his arrest, Rodriguez was heard chanting “Free Palestine,” leading investigators to believe the attack was ideologically driven. A multi-agency investigation is currently underway.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon denounced the shooting as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” adding, “Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible. Israel will continue to protect its citizens and representatives across the globe.”
Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, expressed shock and grief over the killings. “We have full faith in law enforcement at both local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and ensure the safety of Israeli representatives and Jewish communities across the United States,” she said.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the Bureau had been briefed and was coordinating with the Metropolitan Police Department. “While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, please pray for the victims and their families,” he posted on X.
The American Jewish Committee (AJC), which was hosting an event at the museum at the time, issued a statement calling the incident “an unspeakable act of violence.” “Our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families,” the statement read.
External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, who is currently on a visit to Denmark, strongly condemned the attack. “Condemn in the strongest terms the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he wrote on X.
Condemn in the strongest term the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington DC.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues.
The perpetrators must be brought to justice. @gidonsaar
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 22, 2025
In a gesture of solidarity, all Israeli diplomatic missions, including the Embassy in New Delhi, lowered their flags to half-mast. “In profound sorrow, we lower the flag today to remember Yaron and Sarah, victims of a brutal terrorist act in Washington, D.C. May their memory be a blessing,” read a post from the Israeli Embassy in India.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling the shooting an act of “hatred and anti-Semitism.” In a message posted on Truth Social, he wrote, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on anti-Semitism, must end, now! Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims.”
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the circumstances of the attack and its motivations, while security has been heightened at Israeli and Jewish institutions across the country.
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