A pro-Palestinian gunman casually walked into the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC just moments after he allegedly shot and killed two Israeli embassy staffers. 

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, opened fire on a group of four people who were standing outside the museum Wednesday evening as it hosted a Young Diplomats event.

The duo who were fatally shot were an Israeli couple who were due to be engaged next week. 

After opening fire, Rodriguez was let in to the Capital Jewish Museum by security guards who mistook him as a victim, witness Yoni Kalin told Fox 5 News.

‘You know I did see somebody run in,’ he recounted. ‘The security guard happened to let this guy in, I guess they were thinking he was a victim.’

Kalin described how the suspect was ‘covered in rain and he was clearly in trauma, he was in shock.’

Another witness, Sara Marinuzzi claimed the suspect ‘was kind of having erratic behavior. They figured he witnessed the shooting.’ 

Seeing how distressed Rodriguez appeared, Kalin said some people at the event brought him water and asked him if he was OK – and were left horrified when they discovered who he truly was.

Kalin said that the suspect sat down inside the museum and asked others to call the police.

But when police arrived about 10 minutes later, Rodriguez allegedly told the officers, ‘I did this.’

‘He said, “Sir I’m unarmed,” put his arms up and grabbed a red keffiyeh out of his pocket and started the “Free Palestine” chants,’ saying ‘There’s only one solution – intifada revolution,’ Kalin claimed.

At that point, he said Rodriguez was dragged out of the building as he continued his chants.

Still, Kalin said he did not completely understand what had happened – and tried to hand him his keffiyeh back.

‘I didn’t realize that he had murdered two people,’ he said.

In fact, it wasn’t until about five to 10 minutes later when he and the others started to get more information that they realized the shooter ‘was in the building with us for like 15 minutes.’

‘My friend was actually watching the surveillance footage and he murdered somebody, executed them from the back – five to 10 shots,’ Kalin claimed, calling the shooting ‘disgusting.’ 

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon echoed that statement, calling the double homicide a ‘depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.’

‘The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism,’ Danon said.

‘Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.’  

He added that he was ‘confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.

‘Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.’

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump condemned ‘hatred and radicalism’ which led to the vicious attack. 

He said: ‘These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! 

‘Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!’

Trump has been trying to stamp out anti-Semitism within the United States since returning to the White House, cracking down on pro-Palestine protests at university campuses across the nation and vowing to deport non-Americans inciting violence against Jewish people.

Wednesday’s sold-out event was hosted by the American Jewish Committee and touted as a night ‘bringing together Jewish young professionals (22-45) and the D.C. diplomatic community.’ 

The evening was ‘dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage’, featuring ‘appetizers, cocktails, conversations, and a special guest speaker.’

It was scheduled to take place 6.30pm and 9pm, and the shooting occured about 9.15pm.

‘We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,’ AJC CEO Ted Deutch said. 

‘At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.’ 

FBI director Kash Patel confirmed on Wednesday night his department had been briefed on the situation and would investigate, as department heads within the Trump administration came out in force to condemn the violence.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she had arrived in DC alongside attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, and was later pictured alongside Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter examining the crime scene.

Meanwhile Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the deaths as ‘senseless’ in a statement Wednesday night confirming an investigation was underway.

‘Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC,’ she wrote. 

‘We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.’

Later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a chilling warning, writing: ‘This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.’

The museum had been awarded a security grant amid ongoing concerns about the safety of its guests and staff just one day before the shooting.

‘Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism,’ Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz said. 

‘So, we invest a lot of money in security to make sure that we can keep our doors open to the broad public, that this is a welcoming space, but that people are also safe in this space.’

The museum recently launched a new exhibit which they feared would amplify the risks of an attack – LGBT Jews in the Federal City – to coincide with World Pride.

‘We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well,’ Gurwitz said. ‘And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories.’