 "Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington: How did the shooting unfold? Who’s behind the crime?")
An event in Washington to celebrate Jewish heritage turned into a tragedy on Wednesday night when two staff members of the Israeli embassy were killed.
The shooting has shocked one and all. US President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying, “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said authorities would “track down those responsible” for the fatal shooting.
But what actually happened? Who’s behind the shooting? We try to piece together the events and how the killings unfolded in the American capital.
The shooting in Washington
On Wednesday night, a man and a woman, identified as Israeli embassy staff, were killed in a shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. The victims, who were a couple and were about to be engaged, were shot and killed in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest which is near the museum, said the FBI field office and the US attorney’s office.
Notably, the museum is in downtown Washington, close to the US Capitol and just over a kilometre away from the White House.
The shooting occurred outside the museum, which was hosting an event largely focused on how to build a coalition to help Gazans, reports the BBC. JoJo Kalin, the organiser of the event, told BBC, “I’m not going to lose my humanity over this or be deterred. And that Israelis and Palestinians both still deserve self determination and [it is] just deeply ironic that that’s what we were discussing.
“It was bridge building and then we were all hit over the hide with such hatred.”
Victims of the shooting
Officials have stated that a man and woman died in the shooting and that the two were connected to the Israeli embassy in Washington. However, officials haven’t released the name of the victims.
But, Israeli ambassador, Yechiel Leiter, said that the pair who were shot were a couple about to be engaged. He said the man had bought a ring this week “with the intention of proposing next week in Jerusalem.”
“They were a beautiful couple,” said Leiter.
The Israeli embassy spokeswoman, Tal Naim Cohen, added that the couple were shot at close range.
Suspect in custody
Moments after the shooting, Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, announced that the suspect behind the incident had been taken into custody. Smith identified the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, adding that he had “approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire striking both of our decedents”.
Smith added that the suspect was not previously known to police. Once in custody, he identified where he discarded the weapon, adding that it had been recovered.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAccording to one eyewitness, the accused man “pretended to be a witness” and waited for police to arrive for over 10 minutes before claiming he “did it for Gaza”. Sara Marinuzzi was quoted as telling CNN, “There were some more shots and then a guy came running into the centre, and the security guards offered him water, trying to comfort him. He was kind of having erratic behaviour. They figured he witnessed the shooting,” Marinuzzi said.
She added that the man asked security to call the police. Once police arrived about 10 minutes later, Marinuzzi said the man took accountability for the crime, saying, “I did it, I did it for Gaza. Free Palestine!”
Other eyewitnesses corroborated this statement. Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher, who were inside the museum when they heard gunshots, told the Associated Press that a man came inside looking distressed. Kalin said people came to his aid and brought him water, thinking he needed help, without realising he was the suspect. When police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, “Free Palestine”.
Another one present at the event, identified as Paige Siegel, said that she spoke to the shooter before she learnt that he was the gunman. “I went up to him and asked if he was okay as he muttered call the police again and again. He said he was okay. Then I asked if he was shot, he said he wasn’t,” Siegel told CNN. “He was so shaken when I spoke to him that he seemed harmless. Obviously I didn’t know at the time,” she added.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who is part of the investigations, noted on X, “Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence.”
Reactions to the shooting
The shooting of the Israeli embassy staffers has prompted strong reactions from US as well as Israeli officials. US President Donald Trump, calling the killings as horrible, said that antisemitism must end now. He also wrote on social media, “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also slammed the killings, saying, “I am devastated by the scenes in Washington. This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.
“America and Israel will stand united in defence of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, also issued a statement saying that “harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line”.
“Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reacted to the fatal shooting. His office put out a statement on X, which read: “We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. The blood libels against Israel are rising in blood and must be fought to the bitter end.”
Meanwhile, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X: “We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also added, “We’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate antisemitism.”
“The horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city, and in our country. I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate,” she added.
Many watchers have said that the timing of the shooting is of particular significance — it comes as comes as Israel has launched a new campaign targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
With inputs from agencies
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