Video: Suspect Elias Rodriguez Chants “Free, Free Palestine” While Taken into Custody After Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot Dead in D.C. |

Tragic Incident at Young Diplomats Reception in D.C.

On a Wednesday evening at the Young Diplomats Reception held at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., a shocking event unfolded. Eyewitness video captured the moment police apprehended 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who allegedly shot and killed two staff members of the Israeli Embassy just outside the museum, located near the FBI field office on 3rd Street NW.

As he was taken into custody, Rodriguez was heard shouting, “Free, free Palestine,” echoing sentiments often expressed at leftist protests on college campuses across America.

Eyewitness accounts also revealed that Rodriguez entered the museum shortly after the shooting, claiming he needed water and a safe space. According to one witness, he dramatically produced a keffiyeh and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans before being escorted away by police.

(Subsequent police reports indicated that Rodriguez directed officers to the location where he had discarded the firearm used in the attack.)

Yup, that witness was correct. pic.twitter.com/ifP17DKqDY

— NYC Scoop (@NY_Scoop) May 22, 2025

Reza Chowdhury reported that Rodriguez appears to have ties to the Chicago chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a group often described as a communist front.

https://t.co/QfoQ3el2TX pic.twitter.com/zryfQUj4TR

— Reza Chowdhury (@RezaC1) May 22, 2025

Further investigation revealed that Rodriguez was employed by a left-leaning organization based in Chicago known as The History Makers, as reported by journalist Matthew Foldi.

Here is Elias Rodriguez’s bio on the History Makers website https://t.co/bmp4sCFJo1 https://t.co/nPp4Ou0yFM pic.twitter.com/BB6Eqz27m9

— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) May 22, 2025

In a poignant press briefing, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, shared that the victims were a couple on the verge of engagement, with one having recently purchased a ring to propose next week in Jerusalem. His comments were underscored by a conversation he had with President Trump.

Israel’s ambassador to the US says one of the victims had just bought a ring to propose in Jerusalem.
“We won’t be afraid — together we will overcome moral depravity,” Yechiel Leiter stated after the tragic shooting incident. https://t.co/sWkTQ0pm3Y pic.twitter.com/rWFxetPClE

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 22, 2025

Video of Attorney General Pam Bondi discussing the incident was shared by reporter Alexander Nazaryan, revealing a somber atmosphere at the press conference, where Jeanine Pirro, the newly appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Washington, was also present.

Pam Bondi on the Capital Jewish Museum shooting. pic.twitter.com/QXEzSEHgF7

— Alexander Nazaryan (@alexnazaryan) May 22, 2025

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith addressed the media, officially identifying Rodriguez as the suspect in this heartbreaking case. Video footage of her statement was shared by Daily Wire reporter Kassy Akiva.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith provided an update on the Israeli couple who were murdered tonight in D.C. She stated that the shooter is 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who is now in custody. pic.twitter.com/pKXA9R9HBm

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 22, 2025

Complete video of the press conference can be viewed through WTTG-TV: