# 2 Israeli Embassy Staff Shot Dead Outside Washington Jewish Museum

> Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., after attending an event. The attacker, Elias Rodriguez, 30, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” after firing. Auth…

Published: 2026-09-17 · Desk: Latest · Source: BBC News

Two staff members from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, D.C. According to the D.C. police, the victims—a young couple—were leaving an event at the museum when a man suddenly opened fire on them. Witnesses reported that immediately following the shooting, the attacker shouted “Free, free Palestine.”

The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago. Authorities stated that he was apprehended at the scene, having been stopped by security personnel inside the museum shortly after the incident. Police officials confirmed that the shooting appeared to be a targeted act. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said that investigators had found no prior interactions with Rodriguez and nothing in his history that would have flagged him as a potential threat. “We don't see anything in his background that would have placed him on our radar,” she stated.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, shared that the couple had plans to get engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. In reaction to the tragedy, former U.S. President Donald Trump called for an end to such violence, writing, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” The names of the victims have not yet been publicly released, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Original reporting: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vgrkdje1ro?fbclid=IwY2xjawKbuspleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXQmh1N0ZubzBaa1lZV2x4AR7pjIWCY5563oBJV54EKEoZYdDgoqcyi06HHXjLNzC06S2itLgQ83BGfQNT_g_aem_JTswVUYhR5Ix3g3gy2ZrqA
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