On the evening of May 21, 2025, a tragedy occurred in the US capital, Washington, that shocked the international community. Two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot dead near the Jewish Museum. Police quickly detained the suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, who now faces the death penalty. This was reported by NBC News, citing a statement by the interim federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro. The case is classified as a hate crime and a terrorist act, which underscores its special public significance.

According to the investigation, the incident occurred at around 20:00 p.m. local time. Rodriguez, wearing a keffiyeh, entered the museum building shouting the slogan "Free Palestine!" He then opened fire on two employees of the Israeli embassy - a man and a woman, who, according to the Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, were an engaged couple planning a wedding. Both victims were fatally wounded by point-blank shots. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a "cold-blooded terrorist attack" and called on the international community to condemn the attack, emphasizing that it is directed not only against Israel, but also against the values ​​of democracy.

Washington police said the suspect attempted to flee the scene by posing as a witness, but was quickly apprehended thanks to eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage. After his arrest, Rodriguez continued shouting anti-Israel slogans, which authorities say confirms a hate motive. The investigation also found that the suspect is a member of a radical group. Materials indicating preparation for a crime, including extremist literature, were found in his Chicago apartment.

Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, appointed by President Donald Trump on May 8, 2025, said the case would be investigated with the utmost care. Pirro, known for her tough-on-law enforcement stance and experience as a New York district attorney, said crimes like these deserve the harshest punishment.