Two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C, were shot and killed on Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in what officials have described as a hate-motivated attack.
The victims, identified by Israel’s Foreign Ministry as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were attending a social event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for young Jewish professionals and diplomats when the shooting occurred.
According to Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith, the shooter, later identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, approached the group outside the museum, pulled a handgun, and opened fire.
“Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire,” Chief Smith told reporters.
After the attack, Rodriguez entered the museum, where he was detained by security. He later informed police where he had discarded the weapon.
A video circulating on social media captured a young bearded man in a jacket and white shirt shouting “free, free Palestine” as he was led away by police officers.
The motive is being investigated, but officials and witnesses have characterized it as an antisemitic attack.
The victims were a young couple who were about to become engaged, according to Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.
“The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” Leiter said.
“They were a beautiful couple.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it a clear act of antisemitism.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he wrote on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a strong statement in response to the shooting.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel,” he said.
“Blood libels against Israel are paid in blood, and they must be fought relentlessly. My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were abruptly cut short by a despicable antisemitic murderer.”
World leaders from Britain, France, and Germany joined in condemning the attack.
The AJC, which organized the event, expressed its grief and outrage through its CEO, Ted Deutch.
“We are devastated that two cherished friends and partners from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed as they left an American Jewish Committee event,” Deutch said.
“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.”
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also addressed the tragedy, promising that the city would stand firm against hate.
“We’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” Bowser said.
“The horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city, and in our country. I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate.”
The Capital Jewish Museum, located just over a mile from the White House, has since been secured, with emergency vehicles and law enforcement officers remaining on site into Thursday morning.
