Shooting near Jewish Museum in Washington

A shooting near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., has left two Israeli embassy employees dead.

At 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, a shooting occurred near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in which two Israeli embassy employees were killed, according to police. The victims were leaving the museum after a ceremony when they were shot.

According to a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, the two employees were shot at close range and died. Washington, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said in a statement that the suspect in the shooting was taken into custody and has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago.

He also said the suspect was seen walking outside the museum before the shooting and chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine" while being arrested. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Washington Police Department also said they had opened an investigation into the shooting.

Donald Trump, while offering condolences to the families of the victims, called the shooting based on anti-Semitism and posted a message on social media, writing: "These horrific murders in Washington, which are clearly based on anti-Semitism, must end now! Hate and radicalism have no place in the United States of America."

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, while calling the shooting an anti-Semitic terrorist act, said: "The victims were a young couple on the verge of getting engaged."

FBI Deputy Director Don Banzino also wrote about the terrorist shooting: "Initial indications suggest that this act of violence was targeted."

According to an eyewitness present at the Jewish Museum ceremony, the ceremony was related to humanitarian aid. 

"The shooter has no prior criminal record or record that would have drawn the attention of the police," said Washington, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith. "Our counterterrorism unit is working with the FBI to ensure that we can review all of the suspect's records." After being arrested and handcuffed, Elias stated where he had dropped his gun. The gun was recovered and is currently in police custody. Rodriguez has also pleaded guilty to the crime."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed his regret over the incident and wrote on the social network X: "This is a despicable act of anti-Semitism. Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims of this attack and our prayers are with the injured. We express our full support for the staff of the Israeli embassy and stand with the Jewish community in America. America and Israel will stand united in defending our people and our shared values. Terror and hatred will not defeat us."