Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety (CC-DPS) will increase campus patrols after a fatal shooting one block away from the campus, university officials announced May 22.
A gunman fatally shot two Israeli Embassy staff members outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum shortly after 9 p.m. May 21, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Shortly after the shooting, MPD arrested the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, who chanted pro-Palestinian slogans while in custody and has been charged with first-degree murder in federal court.
Erik Smulson, university vice president for public affairs, announced in response to the shooting that CC-DPS would increase its patrols on the Capitol Campus and coordinate with MPD.
“Given the close proximity of this incident to our academic spaces, the Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety (CC-DPS) is coordinating with MPD and has increased patrols on our Capitol Campus,” Smulson wrote in email to Georgetown community members. “We’re grateful for the members of our community who followed the directives shared via HOYAlerts yesterday evening.”
MPD will also increase police presence near faith-based organizations, schools and the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, D.C., MPD chief Pamela Smith announced at a May 22 press conference.
Steven Jensen, the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Washington Field Office, which is collaborating with the MPD, said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
“The tragic murder of these two Israeli Embassy employees outside of the Capital Jewish Museum last night was both an act of terror and directed violence against the Jewish community, and it has the full and unwavering attention of the FBI,” Jensen said during the press conference.
“These significant charges are a step toward restoring justice for the victims and their families,” Jensen said.
Rodriguez cited the Israel-Hamas war as his motivation, telling MPD officers on the scene that he did it “for Palestine” and “for Gaza,” according to an affidavit the FBI filed in federal court May 22. The current war began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages. Israel subsequently invaded Gaza, controlling about 80% of the territory and blockading humanitarian supplies, which experts warn could lead to widespread famine.
Smulson said the university stands in solidarity with the Jewish community, condemning the shooting as an antisemetic attack.
“While any act of violence is troubling, the targeted, antisemitic nature of this shooting is deeply upsetting,” Smulson said. “We strongly condemn antisemitism in all its forms and stand together with our Jewish community.”