What is known about Elias Rodriguez, the alleged murderer of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington D.C.?

Authorities say the man who opened fire on two Israeli Embassy staff members Wednesday night in Washington D.C. is 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, a resident of Chicago. According to police, Rodriguez acted alone in what they are calling a targeted attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum, just as an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee was ending.

Why did Elias Rodriguez kill two Israeli nationals?

Video obtained by CNN shows Rodriguez being detained inside the museum, shouting “Free, free Palestine” as he was taken into custody. Eyewitnesses described him as erratic and agitated – one said he “pretended to be a witness” and sat quietly among attendees for over ten minutes after the attack, before confessing, unprompted, to the crime.

The victims were a young couple, both Israeli nationals working for the embassy, who had just left the “Young Diplomats Reception.” According to Israel’s ambassador to the US, they were due to get engaged in Jerusalem next week. “A young man purchased a ring this week,” he said. “Now that will never happen.”

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the shooting began just after 9 p.m. ET, with Rodriguez pacing outside before approaching a group of four and firing a handgun, fatally striking two. He then entered the museum, where he was subdued by security personnel. The weapon was later recovered after Rodriguez revealed its location.

Was this terrorism?

Despite the deeply political language Rodriguez used after the shooting – reportedly yelling “I did it for Gaza” – officials have not yet stated whether the attack meets the legal definition of terrorism. The FBI, DC police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are jointly investigating.

Rodriguez had no prior record and was unknown to law enforcement before Wednesday night. Authorities say there is “no active threat” to the wider community, though Israeli embassies worldwide have since gone on high alert. Travis Hawley, a self-described open source intelligence analyst has attempted to dig into the lifestyle of Elias.

Reactions from both U.S. and Israeli leaders have been swift and unequivocal. President Trump called it “an act of antisemitic hatred”, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the violence as “cowardly and horrific.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the murders as a “despicable act of hatred”, and multiple Israeli officials have linked the attack to rising anti-Israel sentiment on U.S. college campuses.

Elias Rodriguez is currently in federal custody. More when we have it.

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