The suspect within the deadly taking pictures 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 a press release Wednesday night time.
“We’ve 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.
Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino stated the early indicators level to the taking pictures being a “focused assault.”
The topic is at the moment being interviewed by DC Metro along with our FBI JTTF staff.
“The US Legal professional’s workplace is on scene with me, and our WFO administration staff, on the Washington Area Workplace reviewing the proof to find out extra actions,” Bongino stated. “The taking pictures occurred a brief distance from our Washington Area Workplace. Our FBI police officer, assigned to the exterior publish on the WFO property, instantly responded and rendered help after the assault. Early indicators are that that is an act of focused violence. Our FBI staff is absolutely engaged and we are going to get you solutions as quickly as we will, with out compromising extra leads.”
After the taking pictures, officers stated 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 taking pictures and commenced to chant, “free, free Palestine,” Smith stated.
He additionally defined the place he had allegedly ditched the gun used within the taking pictures, which was promptly recovered, in response to officers.
D.C. police are seen on the scene of a taking pictures Might 21, 2025.
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“There isn’t a lively risk,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated through the press convention on the Metropolitan Police Division.
“I need to be clear that we are going to not tolerate this violence or hate in our metropolis. We is not going to tolerate any acts of terrorism, and we will stand collectively as a neighborhood within the coming days and weeks to ship a transparent message that we are going to not tolerate anti-Semitism.”
Emergency name facilities started receiving calls round 9:08 p.m. reporting a taking pictures within the space, Smith stated.
When emergency responders arrived, the person and one girl have been discovered on the scene, not respiratory, she continued. Not less than one of many victims was first transported to a neighborhood hospital in crucial situation, sources advised 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 assist 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 discipline workplace in D.C. A prime spokesperson for the FBI posted on X that there was a bureau presence on the scene working along with the Metropolitan Police Division.
“FBI personnel are on the scene working with MPD to reply. We’ll have a press release quickly and share extra info as we’re ready,” Ben Williamson wrote.
United States Legal professional Basic 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 taking pictures a “wicked act of anti-Semitic terrorism” in a publish on X.
“Harming diplomats and the Jewish neighborhood is crossing a purple line,” he wrote.
United States Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated on X“We’re actively investigating and dealing to get extra info to share. Please pray for the households of the victims. We’ll deliver this wicked perpetrator to justice.”
It is a creating story. Please examine again for updates.
