Lengthy online statement appears to be manifesto by DC shooting suspect

A statement posted on X Wednesday night appears to be a manifesto signed by someone with the same name as the suspect in a deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. It has not been verified.

The approximately 900-word statement — written in the clear language of an English major, dated May 20 and published online around the same time the shooting occurred — mentions the high death toll in Gaza and notes the ineffectiveness of nonviolent protests against Israel, including the self-immolation of US Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell. It also expresses dissatisfaction with American support for Israel.

The essay ends with what appears to be a defense of “the morality of armed demonstration,” with the author — purporting to be Elias Rodriguez, the arrested suspect in the shooting — claiming that his actions would have been morally justified even if taken in response to the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, which is when he says he became aware of the conflict. He expresses the belief that his actions will now be viewed by many Americans as “highly legible” and “the only sane thing to do.”

It is posted by an account rife with violent anti-Israel sentiments, including references to taking violent actions against Israelis and a “joke” about bombing the New York Times. It also includes messages in support of Hamas and Hezbollah. Several posts reference Chicago, where the suspected shooter was born and raised.