Two Israeli embassy staff killed in terror shooting attack in Washington

Two employees of the Israeli embassy were killed this morning (Thursday) in a shooting attack at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., United States.

The incident occurred during an event organized by an American Jewish organization. The suspected shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, was apprehended. According to reports, he shouted "Free Palestine" during his arrest.

Footage of the arrest.

"שחררו את פלסטין": מעצרו של המחבל שביצע את הפיגוע בוושינגטון | תיעוד@SuleimanMas1 https://t.co/7po94HD9yM pic.twitter.com/3dPRMgeVm2

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 22, 2025

Eyewitnesses stated that the suspect pretended to be a bystander and waited more than 10 minutes for the police to arrive before saying, "I did it for Gaza." Another witness claimed the suspect said, "There is only one solution – Intifada."

According to reports from the U.S., the victims were an embassy staff member and his wife, who were attending an event by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Several sources indicated that at least one victim died at the scene, while the second was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Initial details revealed that during a reception for young diplomats, a man entered the museum wearing a keffiyeh and shouted, "Free Palestine."

הירי מחוץ למוזיאון היהודי בוושינגטון: לפי הדיווחים, גבר ואישה נורו למוות. לפחות אחד מהם נחשב לאיש צוות בשגרירות ישראל@Yoav__Zehavi https://t.co/rsGlr76VRx pic.twitter.com/4gs2nhcvSJ

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 22, 2025

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Michael (Yechiel) Leiter, stated:

“The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine,’ was a young couple about to be engaged. A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple.”

שגריר ישראל בארה"ב, יחיאל לייטר: "הזוג שנרצח הלילה בשם 'פלסטין החופשית' עמדו להתארס. הצעיר רכש טבעת והתכוון להציע נישואין בשבוע הבא בירושלים. הם היו זוג מקסים"@nathanguttman https://t.co/rsGlr76VRx pic.twitter.com/8rF0HAQYrL

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 22, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump sent condolences to the families:

"Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded:
"Terrible news this morning with the shocking terror attack in which two Israeli embassy employees were murdered in Washington. Representatives of the State of Israel are always – and especially in this period – at heightened risk."

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem tweeted:

"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."

CBS News reported that there were additional victims in the incident, and that police are searching for "a white male with a goatee, wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans."

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, in response to the shooting:

"The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world."

Israeli Embassy spokesperson in Washington, Tal Naim, stated:

"Two embassy staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the museum. We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee:

"Horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning. AG Pam Bondi called to let me know and was at the scene. 2 dead in shooting targeting Israeli embassy staffers outside Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C."