Two Israeli Embassy Staff Shot Dead in Washington Suburb – Confirms Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Two Israeli Embassy Staff Shot Dead in Washington Suburb – Confirms Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy have been shot dead in a Washington, D.C. suburb, according to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

According to CBS News, the incident occurred around 9 PM local time as the two embassy employees were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.

The victims included a man and a woman. Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, said at a press conference that the two victims were a young couple who were soon to be married.

“The young man had bought a ring this week and was planning to propose to his girlfriend in Jerusalem next week,” said Leiter.
“They were a beautiful couple,” he added.

Meanwhile, police have arrested a suspect named Elias Rodriguez in connection with the incident. Police claim that after his arrest, the suspect shouted the slogan “Free Palestine.”

Authorities say the 30-year-old Chicago resident was seen “loitering near the museum” where the shooting occurred.

Washington D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said in a press briefing that the suspect approached a group of four people and pulled out a handgun, shooting the two embassy staff members. Rodriguez is currently in police custody.

Steve Jensen, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, said they are investigating whether the killing has any links to terrorism or constitutes a hate crime.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to “bring the perpetrator to justice.” Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations described the incident as a “heinous act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the killings, calling them the work of anti-Semites.
“This horrific murder, clearly motivated by anti-Semitism, must stop now! There is no place for hate and extremism here,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, expressing condolences to the victims’ families.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also reacted, saying he was “deeply shocked” by the attack.
“This was a vile and hateful act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” Herzog posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “America and Israel will defend our shared values together. Terror and hate will not break us,” also expressing solidarity with the Jewish community in the United States.

In a statement posted on X, Israeli Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen said,
“This evening, two Israeli embassy employees were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.”

“We have full confidence in both local and federal law enforcement authorities to apprehend the gunman and ensure the safety of Israeli representatives and the Jewish community across the United States.”