New Delhi: On May 21, two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed near a Jewish museum. The incident was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem through a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, which is located near from the field office of the FBI in Washington. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon called the shooting a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
According to reports, a 30-year-old person named Elias Rodriguez has been identified as the suspect in the shooting incident in Washington. As per the authorities, he is from Chicago and it has been confirmed by the police that he had no previous contact with law enforcement. A man and a woman, believed to be a couple, were killed in the incident that reportedly took place on the 3rd and F streets in Northwest, near the museum, an FBI field office and the US attorney’s office.
The officials have said that they are still probing the incident and a weapon has been found at the scene of crime. Pamela Smith, the Washington police chief, has said the suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before the event and he has been taken in custody. She said that Elias chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine,” in custody.
United States President Donald Trump said that the killings must end and wrote on his Truth Social, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, presently the US attorney in Washington.
