Topline
Two Israeli embassy staffers were killed in a shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, with the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, charged with two counts of first degree murder and other criminal counts Thursday afternoon.
FBI agents cordon off the scene outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two … More
Key Facts
Rodriguez, the alleged shooter, was formally charged in D.C. with two counts of first degree murder, a single count of murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The American Jewish Committee said it was hosting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the shooting occurred, and added: “We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue.”
In a press conference around midnight, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said investigators believe the shooting was carried out by a single person “now in custody” who was seen “pacing” outside the museum before the incident and later approached a group of four people and opened fire with a hand gun, killing both victims.
The alleged shooter was detained by police at the event after entering the museum, according to witnesses cited by CNN and NBC News.
Later Thursday morning, Bondi told reporters, “no parents should have to be called and told that their children were violently murdered leaving a religious event at the Jewish Museum,” and added, “this person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”—though she declined to comment on the investigation, CNN reported.
What Do We Know About Suspected Shooter Elias Rodriguez?
Smith said police have “tentatively identified” the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago. After he was taken into custody, the suspect chanted, “Free, free Palestine.” Rodriguez was initially mistaken as a witness to the crime, eyewitnesses told CNN on Thursday, saying attendees at the event asked if he was injured when he entered the museum after the shooting, appearing “shaken.” He then identified himself as the shooter as police arrived on the scene, according to witnesses cited by CNN and NBC News, saying, “I did it, I did it for Gaza. Free Palestine!” Armed FBI officers were seen Thursday morning at a residence in Chicago that Rodriguez has ties to, NBC reports, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino said the suspect is being questioned by police and the FBI. Rodriguez worked at the American Osteopathic Information Association, and the American Osteopathic Association issued a joint statement with his employer Thursday saying the organizations were “shocked and saddened” to learn one of its employees was arrested as a suspect. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the victims’ loved ones and all others impacted by this act of violence. We wish for peace, comfort and strength in the days and weeks ahead,” the statement read.
Israel’s U.S. embassy released a photo of the two victims of the shooting, Yaron Lischinsky and … More
What Do We Know About The Victims Of The Shooting?
The Israeli foreign ministry identified the staffers as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. Lischinsky worked as a research assistant at the embassy, according to Israel’s foreign ministry, while Milgrim worked in the embassy’s public diplomacy department organizing trips to Israel. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., spoke at the D.C. Metropolitan Police’s press conference and said the victims were a “young couple about to be engaged.” He said “the young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.” Milgrim was a 26-year-old American from Kansas and held degrees from the University of Kansas, American University and the UN University for Peace, according to her public LinkedIn page. Milgrim’s congregation in Kansas said she was “a devoted Zionist,” adding, “she stood for something larger than herself and she paid the ultimate price for it,” The New York Times reported. Lischinsky, 30, was a German citizen who moved to Israel at age 16, his former professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem told The New York Times. He worked as a research assistant for Middle East and North African Affairs at the embassy, according to his LinkedIn, and CNN reported he “dreamed of being a diplomat.” He was also a practicing Christian who grew up with a Christian father and Jewish mother, according to The Times.
What To Watch For
The shooting is so far believed to be an isolated incident, but New York City law enforcement officials told NBC News on Thursday that the NYPD is sending its “heavy weapons teams” to Jewish places of worship and other sensitive locations in case there are any attempted copycat attacks. Additional security is also being deployed to sensitive Jewish sites in Paris, CNN reports citing government officials.
What Was The Event At The Capital Jewish Museum For?
Wednesday’s event at the Capital Jewish Museum was focused on humanitarian aid to Gaza, organization IsraAID said Thursday. “This event with our partners at the Multi Faith Alliance focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza through Israeli-Palestinian and regional collaboration. We, and all the attendees, gathered in the interest of finding practical solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and showing that working together is the only way forward for all the people in the region,” the organization said in a statement. “The brutal and tragic irony that such an event – motivated by humanitarian principles – was targeted for more violence is heartbreaking.”
Crucial Quote
“We are witness to the terrible cost of the antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. Blood libels against Israel have a cost in blood and must be fought to the utmost,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Netanyahu’s office said in a post on X he had spoken to the victims’ families parents and said “he shares in their deep sorrow, together with the entire Jewish People.”
How Have Other Israeli Officials Responded To The Shooting?
In a post on X, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said: “The fatal shooting that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.” He said Israel was “confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.” An Israeli embassy spokesperson added that the staff members were shot “at close range and added: “We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States.”
What Has President Trump Said About The Shooting?
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment of the Israeli diplomat, saying: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”
Further Reading
2 Israeli Embassy staff shot and killed in front of Capital Jewish Museum in DC (NBC News)
Two Israeli Embassy staff members killed outside Jewish museum in Washington, DC (CNN)
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