Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot Dead in Central Washington, Suspect in Custody

 

Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot Dead in Central Washington, Suspect in Custody Two Israeli embassy employees, a young engaged couple, were shot and killed in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. A suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was arrested at the scene and is currently in custody. He reportedly chanted pro-Palestine slogans during the incident. The shooting occurred after the victims left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, located near 3rd and F Streets in Northwest Washington, about 1.3 miles from the White House. Witnesses reported that Rodriguez approached a group of four people and fired multiple shots, hitting both victims, before fleeing on foot. He was detained by event security inside the museum, recovered the weapon, and was described as having no prior police record.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., confirmed the victims were a young man who had purchased a ring earlier that week intending to propose in Jerusalem, and his partner. U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials condemned the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences and criticized rising antisemitism, linking it to violence against Jews worldwide. Trump condemned the act, emphasizing the need to combat hatred and radicalism. The incident has added to ongoing concerns about security and rising tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Authorities and security officials emphasized the importance of bringing the suspect to justice, with early indications suggesting the attack was a targeted act of violence.

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