WASHINGTON (7News) — The Jewish community in Washington, D.C., is grieving and outraged after two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night.
The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were reportedly leaving an event celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month hosted by the American Jewish Committee.
RELATED | 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in shooting outside DC’s Capital Jewish Museum: Police
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Police Chief Pamela Smith said the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, approached a group and opened fire. When he was later arrested, the suspect began chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” Smith said.
What we know about the victims
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Lischinsky was a research assistant, and Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel.
According to Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, the young couple were about to be engaged. The Israeli Embassy confirmed Lischinsky had purchased the ring earlier this week.
The Embassy of Israel to the United States said Yaron and Sarah “were in the prime of their lives.”
“The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss,” the agency posted to X. “Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
Local and global reaction
The FBI is now investigating the case as a possible hate crime. The shooting has reignited concern in the global Jewish community about the rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, calling the D.C. shooting a “horrific, antisemitic” attack.
President Donald Trump said the killings were “based obviously on antisemitism.”
“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote on X that he is “appalled by the vile attack.”
“This is a horrific act of violence and antisemitism & the perpetrator must be brought to justice,” Hollen added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the shooting a “brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence.”
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones. This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice,” Rubio said.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel is strengthening security at diplomatic missions around the world.
On her X account, Attorney General Pam Bondi posted she went to the scene with U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeannine Pirro Wednesday evening.
“Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” Bondi wrote.
American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch related the following statement:
“We are devastated that two cherished friends and partners from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed as they left an American Jewish Committee (AJC) event at the Capital Jewish Museum earlier this evening. This is a shocking act of violence and our community is holding each other tighter tonight.
At this painful moment, we mourn with the victims’ families, loved ones, and all of Israel. May their memories be for a blessing.
While we wait for the conclusion of the police investigation – and urge all our friends and allies to do the same – it strongly appears that this was an attack motivated by hate against the Jewish people and the Jewish state. This senseless hate and violence must stop.
We thank President Trump and his administration, Mayor Bowser and her administration, and all other relevant law enforcement and government officials in D.C and nationally for their swift action and support.
At moments like these, the Jewish community stands strongly together. We are also immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our friends and allies around the world.”
FBI Washington Assistant Director in Charge Steve Jenson said they will help investigate any potential terrorism ties or hate/bias motivations.
