WATCH: Suspect who shot dead Israeli embassy workers shouts ‘Free Palestine’ in custody

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said that Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting.

He shouted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine,” after being taken into custody, she said.

“Free Palestine!” shouted the suspect as he was led away in Washington, DC

Elias Rodriguez, 30, is in custody after two people – Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim – were shot dead outside a museum.https://t.co/ot3UoF1dpP pic.twitter.com/BNd6pHlh6T

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 22, 2025

“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.”

She said the suspect had no previous contact with the police.

Israeli Embassy staff killed were ‘a young couple’ planning to get engaged next week

The two Israeli embassy staff members, who were shot dead on Wednesday (May 21), were a “young couple about to be engaged,” said Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States.

Leiter said that the victim had bought a ring earlier this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend.

“The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of ‘Free Palestine’ was a young couple about to be engaged. A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple,” Leiter said.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot “at close range” and succumbed to their injuries “despite all life-saving efforts” as they were exiting an event at the museum.

The Israeli Embassy in the US said in a post, “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.”

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… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8Fr

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) May 22, 2025

“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,” it added.