Photo: ALEX WROBLEWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
An anti-Israel gunman is in custody after shooting and killing two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night. Police say the victims were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee when the shooter opened fire around 9 p.m.
Authorities identified the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who appeared to act alone. Witnesses say Rodriguez was pacing outside the museum before confronting a group and opening fire, shouting “Free, free Palestine!”
The FBI and Homeland Security are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime or act of terrorism. Israeli officials confirmed the victims were a couple who had planned to get engaged, calling the attack a “depraved act of anti-Israel terrorism.” The video of the alleged shooter is below.