Suspect in custody after deadly attack; officials condemn act as antisemitic terrorism

Washington, D.C., May 22, 2025 – A young couple, both staff members at the Israeli Embassy, were fatally shot Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., in what authorities are investigating as a targeted act of antisemitic violence. The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee when a gunman opened fire.

The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was apprehended by event security after entering the museum post-shooting. According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four people, pulling out a handgun, and shooting Lischinsky and Milgrim at close range. While in custody, Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine,” and directed police to the location of the discarded weapon, which was later recovered.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter described the victims as a couple on the verge of engagement, noting that Lischinsky had recently purchased a ring to propose to Milgrim in Jerusalem next week. “They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center,” Leiter said at a press conference. Lischinsky worked as a research assistant in the embassy’s political department, focusing on Middle East and North Africa affairs, while Milgrim organized U.S. missions to Israel.

The shooting took place around 9:08 p.m. in a bustling area near the FBI’s Washington field office, prompting a swift response from D.C. police and federal authorities. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting in the investigation, with Deputy Director Dan Bongino calling the incident “an act of targeted violence.” Authorities have found no prior criminal record for Rodriguez, and there were no known security threats prior to the attack.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, speaking in Jerusalem, attributed the attack to a broader wave of “toxic antisemitic incitement” since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. “There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder,” Sa’ar said, urging global leaders to curb such rhetoric. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock and ordered increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide, stating, “My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were cut short by a heinous antisemitic murderer.”

U.S. officials also condemned the attack. President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, called the killings “based obviously on antisemitism” and vowed that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat but emphasized, “We will not tolerate antisemitism or any acts of terrorism in our city.” Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro visited the scene, pledging to prosecute the case vigorously.

The American Jewish Committee, which hosted the event—a reception for young diplomats and professionals focused on humanitarian aid in the Middle East—expressed devastation. “Our hearts are with those who were harmed and their families,” said CEO Ted Deutch. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with attendee Sara Marinuzzi recalling the sound of gunshots as the event ended. Another attendee, Yoni Kalin, noted that Rodriguez initially blended in as a bystander inside the museum before claiming responsibility.

The attack has heightened concerns about rising antisemitism amid ongoing tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has seen increased violence and polarized debates globally. The Capital Jewish Museum, recently awarded a $500,000 grant for enhanced security, issued a statement expressing horror at the “senseless violence” outside its doors.

As the investigation continues, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have condemned the shooting, calling it a stark reminder of the dangers of hate-driven violence. The incident is likely to intensify discussions on security for diplomatic staff and Jewish communities worldwide.