2 Israeli Embassy Aides Tragically Shot Dead Outside Jewish Museum Event in Washington D.C., Officials Confirm

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“No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss,” the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. wrote on X

A young couple, both Israeli Embassy aides, have been fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., authorities have confirmed.

 On Wednesday, May 21, at approximately 9:08 p.m. local time, police responded to multiple calls of a shooting in the area of 3rd Street and F Street Northwest, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in D.C., Chief Pamela Smith confirmed at a press conference.
 “Officers located one adult male and one adult female unconscious and not breathing at the scene,” Smith told reporters.
 The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on X that the couple who were fatally shot were both Israeli embassy staff members.

Smith told reporters during the news conference that both victims had succumbed to their injuries despite life-saving efforts, adding that the victims had been “exiting an event” at the Capital Jewish Museum, per the preliminary investigation.

“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect, who is now in custody,” the officer said.

“Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum,” Smith added.

She continued, “He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire, striking both of our decedents,” adding, “After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security.”

Police officers on the scene where two people were shot and killed near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC
A couple was fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025.WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The weapon has since been recovered after the suspect disclosed where he discarded it, Smith confirmed, telling reporters, “He implied that he committed the offense.”

“The suspect chanted ‘Free, Free Palestine’ while in custody,” Smith said, before “tentatively” identifying the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois.

A bystander prays while wearing an Israel flag with a cross in the middle, near the Capital Jewish Museum near the U.S. Capitol on May 21, 2025 in Washington. Two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot after attending an event at the Capital Jewish Museum earlier in the evening
A couple was fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025.Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty

Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, added during the press conference that the victims were about to get engaged before they were killed.

“The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine’ was a young couple about to be engaged,” Leiter told reporters.

“The young man purchased a ring this week, with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” he added. “They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center.”

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