BREAKING: Two people shot outside Jewish Museum in Washington DC

One man and a woman were shot and killed outside of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night.

The two victims were members of the staff at the Israeli Embassy. The male victim was identified as Yaron Lischinsky, who was shot and killed alongside his fiancée. The couple had plans to get engaged in Jerusalem next week.

The shooting occurred just blocks from the local FBI field office, the US attorney’s office, and the DC police headquarters. The victims were shot while exiting the event. The suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside the museum. According to DC Police, he approached a group of four people, produced the gun, and then opened fire, killing the two victims. He then entered the museum and was detained by event security. Once in handcuffs, he told security where he discarded the firearm, and it was recovered. According to police, "He implied that he committed the offense." He then chanted, "Free, free Palestine," while in custody.

Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino posted on X, "The subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team. The US Attorney’s office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions. The shooting happened a short distance from our Washington Field Office. Our FBI police officers, assigned to posts on the WFO property, immediately responded and rendered aid after the attack. Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence. Our FBI team is fully engaged and we will get you answers as soon as we can, without compromising additional leads."

The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago and is allegedly an active member of the Party for Socialism & Liberation who marched with BLM, the People’s Congress of Resistance & ANSWER Chicago. Earlier in the day, PSL tweeted an "anti genocide pledge" against Israel. Elias Rodriguez is also allegedly an oral history researcher at The History Makers.

According to The Spectator's Matthew Foldi, in 2020, Elias Rodriguez made one political donation to Joe Biden.

Tal Naim Cohen, spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in Washington, said in a statement, "Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot this evening at close range while attending a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States."

The event was an annual Young Diplomats Reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) DC Young Professional Board. Jewish Insider reported that participants at the event planned to discuss efforts to respond to humanitarian crises in the Middle East and North Africa, including in Gaza. AJC CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement, “American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC this evening. We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”

A witness told Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider, "After the shooting, a guy came inside saying he saw it and needed water and a safe space, then whipped out a keffiyeh and yelled 'Free Palestine' a bunch before being escorted out by police." 

President Donald Trump posted on 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!” 
 

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement following the shooting, "My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office. While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep the public updated as we are able." FBI officials, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and interim US Attorney Jeanine Pirro have reportedly joined the response by the DC police.

US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said following the shooting, "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice."

Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, posted on X, "The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world."

This is a developing story.