The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, fatally shot embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, in a hate-fueled attack following a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Investigators are exploring his motives, revealing he may have ties to radical social media activity.
DC Shooting Suspect Charged with Double Murder of Israeli Diplomats
DC Shooting Suspect Charged with Double Murder of Israeli Diplomats
A 30-year-old man has been charged with the first-degree murder of two Israeli embassy workers outside a Washington DC museum in an incident deemed an act of terror.
The tragedy struck outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, where two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead in what officials are investigating as a hate crime. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder, including charges related to the murder of foreign officials.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the severity of the case, stating, "This is a death penalty-eligible case," although it remains undecided if prosecutors will pursue such a sentence. Steve Jenson, an FBI representative, characterized the double murder as an "act of terror" specifically targeting the Jewish community.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot while exiting a pro-peace event at the museum, with police reporting that Rodriguez opened fire on a group of four individuals before fleeing the scene. Eyewitness accounts revealed that he had initially been mistaken for a bystander needing assistance before his violent actions were revealed.
Rodriguez, who was arrested shortly after the incident, had reportedly arrived in Washington DC a day prior for a work conference. Eyewitnesses say he shouted "free Palestine" during his arrest, signaling potential motivations behind the attack. His previous discussions have revealed sympathies for the pro-Palestinian movement, which are now under scrutiny as investigators sift through his electronic devices and social media accounts.
The couple was reportedly in Washington to attend the event, where Lischinsky intended to propose to Milgrim during a planned trip to Jerusalem. In light of their tragic deaths, a vigil for Milgrim is being organized in her hometown of Kansas City. Friends and family describe her as vocal against rising antisemitism, recalling her concerns when her school was vandalized with hate symbols in 2017.
Officials confirmed that Rodriguez had no prior arrests and that the firearm used in the attack—a legally purchased 9mm handgun—was transported to DC via checked luggage. As investigations continue, the incident has drawn international condemnation, with leaders from multiple nations, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressing dismay over the antisemitic motivations behind the shooting.
Authorities have escalated security for Israeli representatives in response to this tragic event, and the repercussions are likely to extend beyond this specific incident as communities grapple with rising tensions surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
