Elias Rodriguez faces charges after the fatal shooting incident near the Jewish Museum.
Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old resident of Chicago, has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on Wednesday night near the capital's Jewish Museum, where the victims, identified as a couple who were reportedly planning to get engaged, were fatally shot.
The Washington Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Rodriguez's identity, stating that he allegedly shouted "Free Free Palestine" at the time of his arrest.
Eyewitnesses reported that Rodriguez waited for approximately 10 minutes for the police to arrive before indicating his actions were motivated by support for Gaza.
U.S. President
Donald Trump offered his condolences to the families of the victims via a post on Truth Social, condemning antisemitism and radicalism as having "no place" in the United States.
U.S. Home Secretary Kristi Noem also addressed the situation on social media, stating, "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share.
Please pray for the families of the victims.
We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice."
In response to the shooting, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his devastation over the attack on embassy staff, emphasizing the importance of security for diplomatic personnel.
The incident has raised concerns regarding safety and security for embassies in the United States amid ongoing tensions in the region.