• Rodriguez killed two embassy staffers while shouting pro-Palestinian slogans near the Capital Jewish Museum.
• He previously had ties to a far-left group and took part in anti-police and anti-corporate protests.
• He worked for a medical nonprofit at the time, and the investigation now focuses on his motives and past connections.

Suspect in DC Jewish Museum Shooting Identified as Elias Rodriguez

Police have identified 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez as the suspect in the deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. He allegedly shot and killed two staffers from the Israeli Embassy late Wednesday night. Witnesses said he shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he fired the shots. The incident shocked the city and sparked a federal investigation. Authorities believe the shooting may have been motivated by antisemitism. They continue to search for more details about Rodriguez’s background and his possible reasons for the attack.

Former Member of Radical Group with Anti-Israel Views

Rodriguez once had ties to the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), a far-left political group. This group often posts strong anti-Israel messages on social media and supports protests against the Israeli government. Just hours before the shooting, the PSL posted on X, “End the genocide. Israel out of Gaza now.” The post added more questions about Rodriguez’s political beliefs. Though the group once described him as a member, they now deny any connection. PSL said Rodriguez had only a brief link with one of their branches, and that ended in 2017.

Party for Socialism and Liberation Distances Itself from Rodriguez

After the shooting, the PSL quickly released a statement online. They said, “We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL.” They added that they had no contact with him for over seven years. The group made it clear that they do not support violence of any kind. They also deleted an old article that listed Rodriguez as a participant in a protest. That protest took place in 2017 in Chicago and marked the anniversary of Laquan McDonald’s death.

Rodriguez Protested in Chicago and Attacked Big Corporations

In 2017, Rodriguez joined a Black Lives Matter protest outside the home of then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The protest took place on the anniversary of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald. During the protest, Rodriguez spoke out against Amazon. He accused the company of racism and of driving poor and Black people out of cities. Said: “[Amazon’s] whitening of Seattle is structurally racist and a direct danger to all workers.” He warned that big corporations would take over cities, leaving most people to live in poverty on the outskirts. His speech showed his anger at racial inequality and corporate control.

Academic Background and Previous Nonprofit Work

Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2023, he started working for The HistoryMakers, a nonprofit that records African American history. His LinkedIn profile showed that he also worked as a writer for technology companies. His biography on the nonprofit’s site said he enjoyed reading, writing fiction, live music, and exploring new places. That page has since been removed. His past work did not show signs of violence, but his online footprint now raises questions about radicalization.

Employed at Osteopathic Medical Association at Time of Shooting

At the time of the shooting, Rodriguez worked for the American Osteopathic Information Association (AOIA). This group promotes the use of information technology in osteopathic medicine. The AOIA expressed shock after hearing about his arrest. Dr. Teresa Hubka, president of the American Osteopathic Association, said, “We were shocked and saddened to learn that an AOIA employee has been arrested as a suspect in this horrific crime.” She added that both organizations will fully support the investigation. She also said they stand for safety and peace for everyone, regardless of background.

Authorities Continue Investigating Motive and Background

The investigation is ongoing, and officials are looking deeper into Rodriguez’s past. They want to know more about his possible motives, his connections to extremist groups, and how he planned the attack. The shooting has raised concerns about politically motivated violence in the United States. It also comes at a time when tensions over international issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict remain high. Investigators hope to learn what drove Rodriguez to commit such a violent act and whether others may have influenced him.