Suspect Named in Fatal Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staff

Washington, D.C. Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith identified the suspect in the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members on Wednesday as 30-year-old Chicago man Elias Rodriguez.

“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect, who is now in custody,” announced Smith during a press conference on Wednesday evening:

Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun, and opened fire, striking both of our decedents. After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. 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 suspect chanted, “Free, free Palestine” while in custody. The suspect has been tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois.

During the press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also issued a statement, saying, “I want to start by sending our condolences to the loved ones of the victims who were senselessly a victim of these crimes.”

She continued, “I will say up front that there is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that the horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country, and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city. We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism and we’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism.”

The shooting took place outside of the Capital Jewish Museum, which was serving as the venue for the annual Young Diplomats Reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s DC Young Professional Board.

Watch above via CNN.