The fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers outside a D.C. Jewish museum has prompted a hate crime probe and renewed concerns about antisemitic violence.
At a Glance
- Two Israeli embassy employees were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025.
- The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, was arrested at the scene after reportedly chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
- The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were a couple planning to get engaged during a trip to Jerusalem.
- Authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime influenced by antisemitic ideology.
- Rodriguez had no prior criminal history and was employed by a medical information organization in Chicago.
A Targeted Attack in the Nation’s Capital
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. near the Capital Jewish Museum in the heart of Washington, D.C., as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim exited a diplomatic reception. Both were employees of the Israeli embassy and were set to become engaged the following week in Jerusalem.
According to CBS News, suspect Elias Rodriguez approached the couple outside the museum and opened fire without warning, fatally wounding both victims. Eyewitnesses and security footage confirmed that Rodriguez entered the museum immediately afterward, where he was detained by federal law enforcement.
Watch a report: Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers in D.C.
Suspect Identified as Chicago Resident Elias Rodriguez
Rodriguez, 30, worked for the American Osteopathic Information Association and was a former researcher with The HistoryMakers, an oral history nonprofit. As reported by ABC7 Chicago, Rodriguez was previously unknown to law enforcement and had no criminal history.
Following his arrest, Rodriguez reportedly chanted “Free, free Palestine” and stated he “did it for Gaza,” according to statements obtained by WUSA9. Authorities recovered a manifesto posted online containing antisemitic themes, which is now central to the ongoing federal investigation.
Reaction and Fallout
The shooting has been widely condemned. Former President Donald Trump called the murders “obviously based on antisemitism,” writing on Truth Social that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killings as a “horrific, antisemitic attack” and ordered heightened security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide.
Rodriguez’s home in Chicago was raided by the FBI, where signs referencing Gaza and pro-Palestinian slogans were found, as detailed by Fox 32 Chicago.
The AOIA released a statement expressing shock at Rodriguez’s arrest and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the investigation and condemning violence in all forms.
As law enforcement continues to investigate the shooter’s motivations and affiliations, the deaths of Yaron and Sarah have become a solemn reminder of rising antisemitism and the risks facing Jewish communities worldwide. Their love story, tragically cut short, now stands as a symbol of grief—and resolve.
