Video taken by an attendee on the Younger Diplomats Reception on the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night time hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s D.C. Younger Skilled Board captured the second when alleged gunman Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago in response to police, was detained after shooting and killing two Israeli Embassy staffers simply outdoors the museum, situated within the 500 block of third Road, NW, close to the FBI subject workplace for D.C.
Rodriguez is seen on video shouting as he was being detained. “Free, free Palestine,” in the identical cadence as heard at communist-led protests on American school campuses. An eyewitness reported Rodriguez threw a pink keffiyeh on the ground and in addition chanted, “There is just one answer, Intifada revolution.”
Full picture:

Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of the Jewish Insider, reported a supply saying the what turned out to be the alleged gunman entered the museum after the taking pictures, “from a witness: “After the taking pictures a man got here inside saying he noticed it and wanted water and a protected house, then whipped out a keffiyeh and yelled free Palestine a bunch earlier than being escorted out by police.”
(Police later mentioned Rodriguez confirmed police the place he had ditched the gun after the taking pictures.)
Yup, that witness was right. pic.twitter.com/ifP17DKqDY
— NYC Scoop (@NY_Scoop) May 22, 2025
Reza Chowdhury reported the alleged shooter Elias Rodriguez seems to be a member of the Chicago chapter of the communist entrance group Get together for Socialism and Liberation.
https://t.co/QfoQ3el2TX pic.twitter.com/zryfQUj4TR
— Reza Chowdhury (@RezaC1) May 22, 2025
Rodriguez was additional IDed as a staffer for a Chicago primarily based leftwing outfit, The Historical past Makers, in response to reporter Matthew Foldi.
Right here is Elias Rodriguez’s bio on the Historical past Makers web sitehttps://t.co/bmp4sCFJo1 https://t.co/nPp4Ou0yFM pic.twitter.com/BB6Eqz27m9
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) May 22, 2025
The Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, instructed reporters at a press briefing led by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser that the embassy staffers killed within the assault had been a pair about to be engaged, and that the person had not too long ago purchased a hoop to suggest to his girlfriend subsequent week in Jerusalem. The ambassador additionally spoke about his cellphone dialog with President Trump.
Israel’s ambassador to the US says one of many victims had simply purchased a hoop to suggest in Jerusalem.
“We gained’t be afraid — collectively we’ll overcome ethical depravity,” Yechiel Leiter mentioned after two Israeli embassy employees had been shot lifeless in Washington.https://t.co/sWkTQ0pm3Y pic.twitter.com/rWFxetPClE
— Sky Information (@SkyNews) May 22, 2025
Video of Legal professional Common Pam Bondi talking on the press convention, posted by reporter Alexander Nazaryan. Jeanine Pirro, newly appointed interim U.S. Legal professional for the District of Washington, will be seen on the far left carrying a darkish overcoat.
Pam Bondi on the Capital Jewish Museum taking pictures. pic.twitter.com/QXEzSEHgF7
— Alexander Nazaryan (@alexnazaryan) May 22, 2025
Metropolitan Police Division Chief Pamela Smith IDed the suspect to reporters. Video posted by Day by day Wire reporter Kassy Akiva.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith offered an replace on the Israeli couple who had been murdered tonight in D.C.
She acknowledged that the shooter is 30-year-old Elias Rodrigues of Chicago, who’s now in custody. pic.twitter.com/pKXA9R9HBm
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 22, 2025
Full video of the press convention by WTTG-TV:
UPDATE: Eyewitness to Rodriguez’s conduct after the taking pictures:
Based on this witness, Elias Rodriguez confessed to the double murder. One other witness says that the victims had been executed from behind. pic.twitter.com/3jqUpARmnp
— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) May 22, 2025
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino posted a late night time replace:
The topic is presently being interviewed by DC Metro at the side of our FBI JTTF crew.
The US Legal professional’s workplace is on scene with me, and our WFO administration crew, on the Washington Area Workplace reviewing the proof to find out extra actions.
The taking pictures occurred a brief distance from our Washington Area Workplace. Our FBI law enforcement officials, assigned to posts on the WFO property, instantly responded and rendered assist after the assault.
Early indicators are that that is an act of focused violence. Our FBI crew is absolutely engaged and we’ll get you solutions as quickly as we are able to, with out compromising extra leads.
The topic is presently being interviewed by DC Metro at the side of our FBI JTTF crew.
The US Legal professional’s workplace is on scene with me, and our WFO administration crew, on the Washington Area Workplace reviewing the proof to find out extra actions.
The taking pictures…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 22, 2025