Washington shooting, live: two diplomats killed outside a Jewish museum, an "anti-Semitic" murder?
The essentials:
- A couple was shot dead this Wednesday evening, May 21, in front of a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., United States. Both victims were employees of the Israeli embassy in the United States.
- A suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, was arrested by police. During his arrest, the man chanted "Free, free Palestine," said Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.
- US President Donald Trump called the killings "horrific." Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for his part, assured that authorities would bring to justice those responsible for what he called "a brazen act of cowardly and anti-Semitic violence."
- According to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the suspect in custody is currently being interviewed by Washington police and the FBI. "Early indications indicate this was a targeted act of violence," he said on X.
Live
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi arrived at the scene of the shooting about an hour after the shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington. "I pray for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more," she said on X, adding that she had spoken to Donald Trump several times by phone in recent hours about the matter.
The shooting occurred the same evening that the American Jewish Committee was hosting an event for young Jewish professionals. The "Young Diplomats Reception" brought together young Jewish professionals aged 22 to 45 and the diplomatic community for an evening dedicated to "promoting unity and celebrating Jewish heritage," the American Jewish Committee, which is in charge of the event, stated on its own website.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was "devastated by the scenes in Washington, DC. This was a despicable act of hatred and anti-Semitism that claimed the lives of two young Israeli embassy employees. Our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones and our prayers are with the injured. I offer them my sincere condolences," he wrote on X. "We stand with the ambassador and all embassy staff. We stand with the Jewish community in Washington and the United States. America and Israel will stand united to defend our people and our shared values. Neither terror nor hatred will break us," he continued.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered increased security at Israeli missions around the world, hours after a deadly attack outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., that killed two Israeli embassy diplomats. He said the shootings were the result of "furious incitement" to violence against Israel.
"The shooting occurred near our Washington, D.C., office. Our FBI agents immediately responded and provided assistance after the attack. Initial indications suggest this was a targeted act of violence," said Dan Bongino, FBI Assistant Director for X. "Our FBI team is fully mobilized, and we will provide you with answers as quickly as possible, without compromising the pursuit of new leads," he added.
The subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team. The US Attorney's office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions. The shooting…
To go further:
Tragedy in the United States. A man and a woman—employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington—were shot dead this Wednesday, May 21, in front of the city's Jewish Museum. They were reportedly a young couple who were "about to get engaged," said Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the United States. "A young man bought a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple," he added.
According to CNN and a witness at the scene after the shooting, the man shouted "Free, free Palestine" as he was arrested. "He approached a group of four people, pulled out a handgun, and opened fire," Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters, according to AFP.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias R., originally from Chicago, has been arrested. "We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody," added Pamela Smith, speaking to the American press.
A "devilish act of anti-Semitic terrorism"US President Donald Trump called the murders near the Jewish Museum in Washington "horrible." "These horrific murders in Washington, D.C., obviously motivated by anti-Semitism, must stop, NOW!" he wrote on his Truth Social network. "Hate and radicalism have no place in the United States," he added.
For his part, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a "brazen act of cowardly, anti-Semitic violence." Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, denounced it as a "devilish act of anti-Semitic terrorism" (...) "attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," he declared in a statement.
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