US man who shot dead Israeli embassy workers shouted ‘Free Palestine’ in custody | World News

The assailant, who shot dead two Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC, on Wednesday night (May 21), has been identified as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, Illinois.
The 30-year-old shooter opened fire at a group of four with a handgun, outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, killing a man and a woman.
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said that Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting.
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He shouted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine,” after being taken into custody, she said.
“After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained event security,” Smith said. “Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offense.”
She said the suspect had no previous contact with the police.

Israeli Embassy staff killed were ‘a young couple’ planning to get engaged next weekStory continues below this ad
The two Israeli embassy staff members, who were shot dead on Wednesday (May 21), were a “young couple about to be engaged,” said Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
Leiter said that the victim had bought a ring earlier this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend.
“The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine’ was a young couple about to be engaged. A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple,” Leiter said.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot “at close range” and succumbed to their injuries “despite all life-saving efforts” as they were exiting an event at the museum.Story continues below this ad
The Israeli Embassy in the US said in a post, “Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terror shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.”

Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives.
This evening, a terror shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated their murder. No words… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8Fr
— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) May 22, 2025
“The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be their side during this terrible time,” it added.
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