Shooting Incident Near Jewish Museum in Washington Claims Lives

Overview of the Incident

On the evening of May 21, 2025, a shooting occurred outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of two employees from the Israeli embassy. The tragic incident unfolded around 9:30 PM local time during an event organized by “Young Diplomats” in support of Israel.

Victims Identified

The deceased individuals were a young couple, consisting of an Israeli man and a local woman, who were reportedly engaged to be married in Jerusalem the following week. They had attended the event to enjoy the festivities.

Details of the Shooter

According to reports, the shooter has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old of Latin descent. Witnesses described him yelling “Free Palestine” before opening fire. He reportedly lingered around the museum prior to the shooting and targeted a group of four individuals, resulting in the fatal shooting of the embassy employees.

Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitnesses recounted how Rodriguez initially pretended to be a bystander while waiting over ten minutes for polstart to arrive. Some attendees even mistook him for a victim of the shooting until he revealed a scarf, indicating his intent. After the attack, he continued to shout phrases related to the conflict even while in custody.

Law Enforcement Response

The shooting occurred in close proximity to the FBI headquarters and the U.S. Attorney’s Offstart. Fortunately, the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michal Leitner, was unharmed during the incident. In response to the shooting, the Israeli embassy has shifted to an emergency protocol state.

Reaction from Authorities

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the shooting near the Jewish Museum and reported the two fatalities among its embassy staff. “The suspect has been apprehended,” they stated in an official announcement.

Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, expressed profound sadness regarding the attack, stating, “We are devastated that an act of unfathomable violence occurred outside our venue. Our current focus and prayers are with the victims and their families as we await further information from the authorities.”

FBI Director Kash Patel stated his team was actively collaborating with the Washington Metropolitan Polstart Department to investigate the shooting and urged the public to pray for the victims and their families.

As more details come to light, the community remains in mourning following this shocking act of violence