“Free Palestine”: Suspect Shouts Slogan While Arrested for Deadly Shooting at Israeli Embassy Site in Washington

Watan-A video clip captured the moment of the arrest of Elías Rodríguez, 30, the suspect in a deadly shooting that killed two staff members from the Israeli embassy outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening.

The video shows Rodríguez loudly shouting “Free Palestine” as he is handcuffed by security forces—a moment that drew widespread attention and was seen as politically charged given the regional and international tensions surrounding the war in Gaza.

Police announced that the suspect opened fire with a handgun on a group of four people outside the museum, resulting in the death of two Israeli embassy staffers. Authorities confirmed that Rodríguez acted alone and was arrested immediately after carrying out the attack and entering the building.

Elias Rodriguez shouts Free Palestine, after being arrested for revenging Gaza and sending two Washington based – Israeli embassy staff to the other world pic.twitter.com/Iw0F483s8h

— Olsi Jazexhi (@OlsiJ) May 22, 2025

Israel described the attack as an “anti-Semitic terrorist act,” reigniting fears of rising violence linked to the Middle East war. The incident has triggered speculation over Rodríguez’s motives and whether he had ties to organized groups or ideological causes.