BURSTThe FBI is investigating the shooting of two Israeli Embassy aides outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday night as an “act of terror,” according to law enforcement.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a statement Thursday morning that the incident has the “full attention” of the bureau and pledged to pursue harsh penalties in the case, which he suggested could be an act of antisemitic violence.
“Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of your FBI,” Bongino wrote on social platform X.
“Targeted acts of anti-Semitic violence are typically carried out by spineless, gutless cowards,” he continued. “And the penalties will be harsh as we tighten up this investigation and run down any additional leads.”
Shortly after 9 p.m., a suspect identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, approached a group of four individuals leaving an event at the museum and fired at close range. Two staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were killed in the shooting.
The suspect later walked into the museum and was apprehended. After he was in custody, he shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.
President Trump and other members of his Cabinet have condemned the killings as antisemitic attacks.
Bongino said in an overnight statement that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) team and the Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. were conducting a joint interview of the apprehended suspect.
He also noted the agency was working with the U.S. Attorney’s office to review the evidence “to determine additional actions."
“Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence,” Bongino wrote. “Our FBI team is fully engaged and we will get you answers as soon as we can, without compromising additional leads.”