Key points
- Police identify shooter as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago
- Handcuffed suspect chanted “Free, free Palestine”: Washington police
- Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA: Trump
ISLAMABAD: Two Israeli embassy staff have been shot dead outside a Jewish museum in downtown Washington, DC.
The man and woman were a couple and were killed while leaving an event focused on helping Gazans at the Capital Jewish Museum, BBC reported, citing an event organiser at the scene.
US President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he posted on social media.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “this was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones.
This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 22, 2025
Suspect in custody
Gunfire broke out on the sidewalk outside the Capital Jewish Museum and Washington police confirmed the suspected shooter then walked into the museum after the shooting and had been detained.
“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody,” Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters.
“Prior to the shooting the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire.
“After the shooting the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security.”
She said that the handcuffed suspect identified where he had discarded the weapon and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
Suspect identified
Police identified him as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago.
Police Chief Smith said during a news conference that officers responded to multiple calls of a shooting near the museum at around 9:00 pm on Wednesday evening (0100 GMT Thursday).
When authorities arrived at the scene, a man and a woman were found unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts from first responders, both were pronounced dead.
Emergency response vehicles remained at the scene into Thursday morning after police taped off the area.
“No active threat”
“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 anti-Semitism,” Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters, according to AFP.
“There is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that the horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city, and in our country. I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate.”
Anti-Muslim hate
An advocacy group has said that discrimination and attacks against Muslims and Arabs in the United States hit a new record in 2024 amid the Israel-Gaza war.
A report released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said that the 8,658 complaints regarding anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents last year – representing a 7.4 per cent rise year on year – was the highest number since the group began compiling data in 1996.
Complaints regarding employment discrimination were the most common at 15.4 per cent of the total, Al Jazeera reported.
Complaints regarding immigration and asylum constituted 14.8 per cent, education 9.8 per cent and hate crimes 7.5 per cent.
Condemnation
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “devastated” by the scenes in Washington.
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.…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) May 22, 2025
“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,” he said.
He added, “We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US. America and Israel will stand united in defence of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Enhanced security measures
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he has ordered enhanced security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide after a gunman who shouted “free Palestine” shot dead two embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington.
“I have instructed to enhance security arrangements at Israeli missions around the world and to increase protection for state representatives,” he said.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel.”
