Washington, D.C. — A shooting incident at a Jewish museum left two Israeli Embassy staffers dead, escalating tensions surrounding recent conflicts in Gaza. Witnesses reported that shortly after the violence erupted, the alleged gunman revealed his motive, stating, “I did it for Gaza.”
The chaos unfolded around 9 p.m. local time at the Capital Jewish Museum, where 29-year-old jewelry designer Katie Kalisher attended a panel discussion focused on humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Kalisher, who was close to the scene, described a sense of confusion among attendees when the gunfire rang out.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a man, visibly shaken, entered the museum seeking refuge. Kalisher and others attempted to console him, believing he had merely stumbled in from the street to escape the chaos. When he inquired about the type of museum they were in, she told him it was dedicated to Jewish history, a moment that seemingly unsettled him further.
The suspect, later identified as Elias Rodriguez, reportedly produced a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf associated with the pro-Palestinian movement, and confessed to the shooting. He proclaimed, “I did it. I did it for Gaza. Free, free Palestine,” moments before law enforcement apprehended him.
Following the incident, police moved attendees away from windows and doors as officers with weapons drawn entered the museum. Kalisher described the atmosphere as surreal, noting the rapid response from authorities created an unsettling scene.
While police remain tight-lipped about the specific investigations surrounding the case, community leaders have expressed deep concern over the rising violence linked to political conflicts, particularly in the wake of escalated tensions in the Gaza region.
This tragic event adds to a growing list of violent acts connected to international disputes, prompting discussions about security measures and the impact of political rhetoric on domestic threats. The museum has faced the harsh reality of becoming a battleground over a global issue, highlighting the far-reaching implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation unfolds, while the community grapples with the consequences of the tragedy at a site intended for remembrance and education.