- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 22 May 2025 01:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The two Israeli embassy staffers were a young couple about to be engaged, Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said. "The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter said. "They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington's cultural centre." The Israeli Embassy identified the two victims as Yaron and Sarah.
They were shot and killed in the area of 3rd and F Streets in Northwest, a part of central Washington that is about 2 km from the White House. "Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by 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 by their side during this terrible time," read the post of the Israeli Embassy in the US.
An online invitation to the Young Diplomats Reception event they had attended described it as a bringing together of Jewish professionals between the ages of 22 and 45 and the Washington diplomatic community.
Who is Elias Rodriguez, the suspect involved in the killing
The suspect has been identified by police as a 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago. Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the event, according to Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.
Smith said the suspect chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine" after being taken into custody. "After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by 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."
The single suspect had no previous contact with police, she added. Deputy FBI Director Don Bongino said the suspect was being interviewed by the police and the FBI.
Netanyahu vows to step up security
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "shocked" and said on Thursday that security would be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world, after two Israeli embassy staff were killed in a shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington.
US President Donald Trump also reacted sharply and said hatred and radicalisation have no place in America.
(With inputs from agency)
