Washington DC Shooting lsreali embassy staff killed outside Jewish…
On the evening of May 21, 2025, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim—were tragically shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The couple, both in their late 20s and planning to become engaged, had just attended a “Young Diplomats Reception” hosted by the American Jewish Committee .
The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, approached a group of four individuals outside the museum and opened fire, fatally wounding Lischinsky and Milgrim. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where he was detained by event security. Witnesses reported that he chanted “Free, free Palestine” upon his arrest .
Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime. The FBI and local law enforcement are collaborating on the case, and officials have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public .
The attack has been widely condemned by Israeli and U.S. officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the shooting as a “heinous antisemitic murder” and has ordered increased security at Israeli missions worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump also denounced the killings, emphasizing that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA” .
This tragic event underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has resulted in significant casualties and displacement . It also highlights the rising concerns over antisemitic incidents globally.
