Two people were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night in what officials say was a targeted antisemitic attack.
The Washington Metropolitan Police confirmed that the suspected shooter, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, is in custody after being detained by security at the museum.
Speaking to reporters, Police Chief Pamela Smith said the same suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four people, drawing a handgun and opening fire.
“After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by event security,” Smith said. She added that the handcuffed suspect later told officers where he had discarded the weapon.
The shooting occurred just outside an event organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which was hosting a reception for young Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community.
Emergency services responded around 9:00 pm and found a man and a woman unconscious and not breathing. Despite efforts to save them, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims, according to Israeli officials, were young staff members of the Israeli embassy and a couple preparing to get engaged.
“The young man had bought a ring and planned to propose next week in Jerusalem,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling it an act of antisemitic hatred. “My heart aches for the families… whose lives were abruptly cut short by a despicable antisemitic murderer,” he said.
Several world leaders, including from the UK, France, and Germany, joined in condemning the shooting.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch described the incident as a “senseless act of hate” and called for a united front against antisemitism.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also addressed the press, vowing not to let fear and hate take hold. “We’re going to stand together as a community… We will not tolerate this violence or hate,” she said.
The Capital Jewish Museum is located in downtown Washington, close to the U.S. Capitol and less than two kilometers from the White House.
The FBI has joined the investigation as authorities work to determine the full motive behind the attack.