Two Israeli embassy employees were shot dead outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening, in an attack the suspect allegedly celebrated by shouting “Free, free Palestine” upon arrest.
Authorities identified the gunman as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who opened fire on a group of four people leaving a museum event, killing embassy analyst Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and public diplomacy officer Sarah Milgrim.
Police Chief Pamela Smith confirmed Rodriguez was detained at the scene after witnesses had subdued him inside the museum.
Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offence.
Rodriguez reportedly entered the museum “visibly distressed” post-shooting, where security initially detained him.
Lischinsky died instantly, whereas Milgrim succumbed to injuries hours later. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter to the US revealed the pair were a couple planning to become engaged, with Lischinsky having bought a ring for a Jerusalem proposal.
Described as advocates for interfaith dialogue, Lischinsky’s LinkedIn profile highlighted his work on the Abraham Accords, while Milgrim emphasised peacebuilding and environmental sustainability.
Global condemnation and antisemitism allegations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the “horrific, antisemitic” attack, linking it to “wild incitement against Israel.”
We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel.
UN Ambassador Danny Danon labelled it “depraved antisemitic terrorism,” urging robust US action.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed condemnations, with Merz stating “we must assume there was an antisemitic motive.”
Witness Yoni Kalin, present during the event focused on humanitarian aid, expressed despair: “How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel?”
How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.
The Israeli Embassy mourned the loss of “friends and colleagues in the prime of their lives,” calling the killings “devastating.” Investigations continue as international leaders demand accountability, underscoring tensions amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
