Two Israeli embassy staff members shot dead in Washington DC

New Delhi, May 22

Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC on May 21. 

New agency Retuters reported that a man and a woman were fatally shot near 3rd and F Streets in Northwest Washington, D.C., close to the Capital Jewish Museum, an FBI field office and the US Attorney’s Office.

Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith stated that a lone suspect, observed pacing outside the museum prior to the incident, is in custody. Smith informed that the attacker approached a group of four people and produced a handgun and started shooting, "striking both the deceased."

She added that the suspect chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine," in custody, she said, adding that the "suspect has been tentatively identified as 30-years-old of Elias Rodrigues from Chicago."

FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting. "While we’re working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the incident. Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a statement said, “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. America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us,” he added.

President Donald Trump expressed, "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" he said in a message on Truth Social. "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared the news via a post on X. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was at the scene with US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, confirmed the incident.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon condemned the attack as a “heinous act of anti-Semitic terrorism.” Police have not yet disclosed a motive, with a news conference scheduled for later Wednesday.

“We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,” Danon said in a post on X. “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”

Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, reported that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending a Jewish event at the museum