A deadly shooting rattled the streets near the Capital Jewish Museum and an FBI field office on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C.

According to media outlets including CNN citing a law enforcement source, two people are dead, with initially one victim believed to be connected to the Israeli Embassy.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem then later confirmed that two Israeli Embassy staff members were killed, in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

“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,” Noem said.

Newsweek reached out to the Washington, D.C., police department via phone late Wednesday for comment but could not reach a public information officer.

What To Know

According to D.C. police, the shooting investigation was launched in the vicinity of 3rd and F Street NW and a suspect is now in custody. D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said authorities believe the gunman acted alone. While the suspect was detained by police, he shouted “free, free Palestine,” Smith added.

Around 9:08 p.m., calls came in to police regarding the shooting, according to the chief, saying one adult male and one adult female were pronounced dead.

The suspect has been tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a news conference late Wednesday night said that she will not tolerate acts of antisemitism in the city, adding that the deadly gunfire may frighten a lot of people.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was on the scene with Jeanine Pirro, interim U.S. attorney of Washington, D.C., in a post to X.

Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon also took to X on Wednesday night in reaction to the shooting.

“The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” Danon said.

“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,” the ambassador concluded.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office (FBIWFO) also posted to X, saying the bureau was responding to the shooting in conjunction with D.C. police.

“#FBIWFO has responded with our @DCPoliceDept partners to a shooting that occurred tonight on 3rd and F Streets NW. There is no ongoing threat to public safety,” the post said.

What People Are Saying

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York posted to X on Wednesday: “Horrific. The shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a heinous act of antisemitic murder and terrorism. U.S. law enforcement must use every tool at its disposal to investigate and prosecute these evil criminals. The U.S. must continue to stand with our most precious ally Israel and work to eradicate this vile antisemitism raging in our streets and around the world.”

Israeli Embassy in D.C. spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen, in a statement posted by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday: “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.”

Update 5/21/25, 12:13 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with information from a news conference by D.C. officials.

Update 5/21/25, 11:51 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.