Neighbors in Chicago’s Albany Park are still trying to make sense of how a seemingly reserved man from their building became the accused gunman behind a horrifying shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
Just days ago, 27-year-old Elias Rodriguez was a quiet tenant who exchanged the occasional greeting — now, he’s at the center of a national tragedy.
As details continue to unfold, people who knew Rodriguez are shocked by what they’re learning, including signs of a strained relationship, hints of emotional unraveling, and deeper ties to political activism.
Girlfriend Moved Out Weeks Before Shooting
Elias Rodriguez lived with a girlfriend — believed to have the last name Oliver — for the past two years in a modest second-floor apartment.
But according to neighbors, she quietly left a few weeks ago, well before the shooting spree took place.
John Frey, a 71-year-old neighbor, recalled seeing a young woman regularly until she suddenly vanished.
“There was a young woman — dark hair, maybe 5-foot-3. But I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks now,” Frey said.
He admitted he wasn’t sure exactly when she moved out or why.
Although he didn’t want to speculate about a breakup, the girlfriend’s absence coincides with a major shift in Rodriguez’s behavior — and may provide a missing piece to his final days.
A Love Note Hidden in a Manifesto
Among the most disturbing discoveries was a “manifesto” Rodriguez allegedly wrote just one day before the shooting.
It ended with a list of family members he loved — “Mom, Dad, baby sis, the rest of my familia” — and a message to someone whose name was partially redacted as “O*****.” The number of asterisks matches the name Oliver.
That chilling document also contained language about the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, suggesting a deep political and emotional investment that may have helped fuel the violence.
A Neighborhood with Strong Palestinian Support Reacts
The Albany Park neighborhood has long been known for its vocal support of Palestine, especially since the outbreak of violence in Gaza last October.
Even Rodriguez had a “Justice for Wadea” sign in his window, referring to a Palestinian-American child who was murdered in a hate crime.
John Frey, who supports the Palestinian cause himself, was heartbroken by Rodriguez’s actions. “What he did was so wrong,” he said.
“If I’d known what he was planning, I believe I could’ve talked him out of it. Killing two people? That doesn’t help anyone.”
FBI Raids Home but Shows Little Interest in Girlfriend
The FBI raided the apartment Rodriguez once shared with his girlfriend, but according to Frey, investigators didn’t show much concern about her.
“I mentioned her, but they didn’t seem to focus on it,” he said.
Despite the raid, small reminders of her presence remained — a pair of black women’s CAT sneakers still outside the front door, and a Hello Kitty Chinese New Year decal still hanging on the wood door.
Victims Identified After Brutal Shooting
During the attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum, Rodriguez allegedly fired 21 rounds from a H&K pistol.
Two young lives were taken — Yaron Lischinsky, who was reportedly about to propose, and Sarah Milgrim.
Eyewitnesses say Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” during the rampage.
Authorities are investigating the crime as a hate-fueled antisemitic act.
Father Once Celebrated by Democrats Now Faces Scrutiny
In a twist of irony, Rodriguez’s father, Eric Rodriguez, had once been invited to Washington as a guest of Democratic Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García.
At the time, Eric was praised for his advocacy for veterans and union rights, and was featured during a speech by President Trump to Congress.
A spokesperson for Rep. García confirmed Eric Rodriguez was invited but added, “We don’t know his family.”
Following the shooting, García condemned the act as “a horrible, senseless act of antisemitism.”
Shooter’s Past Paints Picture of Radicalization
Elias Rodriguez graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago and had become deeply involved in far-left activism.
He volunteered as an “oral history researcher” focused on African American communities and was affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
He’d also taken part in anti-capitalist protests and, in 2020, donated $500 to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
Despite these civic actions, neighbors said he mostly kept to himself.
His mother, Elvira Rodriguez, offered no comment when approached by reporters: “I have no comment, thank you,” she said softly.
Trump Responds with Harsh Words for Hatred and Violence
In response to the shooting, former President Donald Trump took to social media, calling the attack a clear act of antisemitism.
“These horrible D.C. killings must end, NOW!” he wrote.
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
He expressed condolences to the victims and their families and emphasized the urgency of confronting ideologically driven violence.
A Tragic Chain of Events with No Simple Explanation
What pushed Elias Rodriguez over the edge remains unclear — whether it was heartbreak, political despair, mental health struggles, or all of the above.
But the aftermath leaves a trail of pain: grieving families, a devastated neighborhood, and a nation still struggling to understand how these tragedies continue to unfold.