A ‘Security incident’: Woman shot at CIA headquarters hours after Israeli Embassy shooting

On May 22, 2025, two high-profile shootings occurred within hours of each other in the Washington, D.C. area, raising concerns about security and potential connections between the incidents.

In the early hours of the morning, around 4 a.m., a woman was shot by security guards outside the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters in McLean, Virginia. According to reports, the woman disobeyed commands at a checkpoint, prompting the guards to open fire. 

According to NBC News, the woman was preliminarily identified as 27-year-old Monia Spadaro, and she may have been intoxicated when it happened. The suspect reportedly has a DUI on her record.

According to the New York Post, the shooting was described as non-fatal, and Fairfax County Police assisted with traffic control while the CIA investigated the incident. The main gate of the facility remained closed following the incident.

The Israeli Embassy shooting

Just hours earlier, on the evening of May 21, two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The couple had attended an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee and were leaving when the attack occurred. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest and is believed to have acted alone. Authorities have not found evidence linking the two incidents.

The shootings have intensified concerns about rising antisemitism and security at sensitive locations. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attributed the Washington killings to increasing antisemitism. U.S. lawmakers and President Donald Trump also condemned the attacks, labeling them as acts of antisemitic violence.

While the two incidents occurred on the same day and in close proximity, authorities have not established a direct connection between them. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives and any potential links.