The suspect in the fatal shooting of 2 Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Rodriguez allegedly shot and killed the victims — a couple about to become engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. — as they were leaving the museum, which is located in the heart of the U.S. capital. According to police and video from the scene, he shouted "free, free Palestine" as he was being taken into custody. Israel's foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. Milgrim was an American who grew up in the Kansas City area, graduated from the University of Kansas and earned a master's degree at American University, her father said. Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog said Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen.

Smith said the single suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine" after being taken into custody 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," Smith said, adding that he had had no previous contact with police. FBI agents were seen at his apartment in Chicago on Thursday, where law enforcement blocked off the street. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters that authorities believe the suspect acted alone.

Smith said the preliminary investigation shows Rodriguez was allegedly observed pacing back and forth outside the museum before he approached a group of four people exiting the building, including the two victims, and began shooting. He then entered the museum, where he was detained by event security. While in custody, he yelled "Free, free Palestine!" Smith also said. A LinkedIn page purportedly belonging to Rodriguez listed him as most recently working for the American Osteopathic Information Association.