(Scypre.com) – On the evening of May 21, 2025, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., as they departed a diplomatic event. The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were a couple reportedly planning to become engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.
The shooting occurred around 9:08 p.m. EDT during a “Young Diplomats Reception” hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum. As attendees exited the event, a gunman opened fire, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim. Witnesses reported that the suspect, after the shooting, entered the museum and was apprehended by security personnel. While being detained, he allegedly exclaimed, “I did it. I did it for Gaza. Free, free Palestine!”
Yaron Lischinsky, a German-Israeli citizen, served as a research assistant at the Israeli Embassy, focusing on Middle Eastern affairs. Sarah Milgrim, an American Jew, worked in the embassy’s public diplomacy department, engaging with community relations. The couple met through their assignments at the embassy and were planning to announce their engagement during a forthcoming trip to Jerusalem.
The suspect has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old man from Chicago. He was arrested at the scene by museum security and later taken into custody by law enforcement. The FBI conducted a search at a property in Chicago believed to be connected to Rodriguez. The American Osteopathic Information Association, where Rodriguez was employed, expressed shock and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, stating, “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” He emphasized that “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity, asserting that Israel and the U.S. “will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered enhanced security measures at Israeli embassies worldwide.
International leaders, including officials from the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, the UAE, and the United Kingdom, have condemned the killings and expressed condolences.
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are conducting a joint investigation into the incident. Authorities are examining the suspect’s background, motives, and any potential connections to extremist groups. The attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime, given the suspect’s statements and the targeting of Jewish individuals.
The attack has heightened concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish institutions in the United States. Jewish communities and organizations have expressed grief and called for increased security measures to protect against such acts of violence.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. The tragic loss of Lischinsky and Milgrim has left a profound impact on both the diplomatic community and the broader public.