Is Elias Rodriguez from PSL Chicago? New claims about DC Jewish museum suspect surface

Elias Rodriguez was identified as the suspect in the Capital Jewish Museum shooting on Wednesday

Updated on: May 22, 2025, 10:25:07 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Elias Rodriguez was identified as the suspect in the Capital Jewish Museum shooting on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Chicago resident shot at two Israeli embassy staff members, killing them both. Authorities confirmed that he then went to the museum lobby, chanting ‘Free Palestine’. Now, new claims about the suspect have emerged with several social media users linking him to the Chicago branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Elias Rodriguez was identified as the suspect in the Capital Jewish Museum shooting on Wednesday (AFP)

Officials have not confirmed the PSL Chicago link yet. We have written to the Illinois-based organization for confirmation.

Posting screenshots of an article by Liberation News on social media, users linked Rodriguez to PSL Chicago.

“Is this him? Elias Rodriguez of Chicago - Party for Socialism & Liberation. Fully investigate that organization,” one person asked on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

"This appears to be the same person from 2017. Elias Rodriguez was a member of the "Party for Socialism and Liberation" then according to this article below," another person added. They also attached a photo of what appeared to be a protest.

“All that Elias Rodriguez did was deliver the death blow to the Free Palestine campaign in the United States. No one in their right mind is going to associate with a group that produces people who shoot Israeli diplomats,” a third person tweeted.

Revealing details about the shooting at a press conference, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said that the victims were leaving an event when the suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire. The 30-year-old was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting, walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event security.

As he was been taken into custody, Rodriguez chanted ‘Free, free Palestine’, Smith confirmed.

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said the two people killed were a young couple about to be engaged, saying the man had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the U.S. attorney in Washington and whose office would prosecute the case.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" President Donald Trump posted on social media early Thursday. "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!’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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