DC Jewish Museum Shooting: Gunman Flew with Declared Firearm on United Airlines

DC Jewish Museum Shooting: Gunman Flew with Declared Firearm

Elias Rodriguez, the 31-year-old Chicago resident responsible for the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum, traveled from Chicago to Virginia with the firearm used in the attack. An FBI affidavit reveals that Rodriguez declared the weapon in his checked baggage before boarding the United Airlines flight.

Airline Travel and Firearm Declaration

The incident raises questions about airline security protocols, despite Rodriguez having a valid license for the firearm and seemingly adhering to regulations. United Airlines records confirm Rodriguez's flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Reagan National Airport in May 2025, and that he declared the firearm in his checked luggage. Thus, Rodriguez crossed state lines with a firearm," the FBI affidavit said.

Details of the Shooting

Witness accounts detail Rodriguez's presence at the scene wearing a blue hooded raincoat and a backpack. One witness described his odd behavior before the shooting. After the shooting, Rodriguez discarded the firearm, which police later recovered near the scene. Surveillance footage confirmed Rodriguez's presence near the museum before and during the attack.

The Attack on the Diplomats

Rodriguez shot the diplomats in the back multiple times, following them and continuing to fire as they fell and attempted to escape, ensuring their deaths.