Deadly shooting in Washington D.C.: Two Israeli Embassy employees killed in suspected antisemitic attack
Shooting outside Jewish Museum in Washinfton D.C. leads to international condemnation and calls for greater security diplmatic
Washington D.C. — Two employees of the Israeli Embassy in the United States, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were shot and killed in what officials are calling an antisemitic terrorist attack Wednesday night. The shooting occurred outside of the Jewish Museum in the nation's capital, and drew worldwide condemnation from leaders and heightened concern for the safety of diplomatic personnel.
The Israeli Embassy released a statement stating that the couple—who were engaged to be married—had just left the museum event when they were confronted by an armed suspect. The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodríguez from Chicago, is alleged to have yelled, "Free, free Palestine!" as he opened fire. The embassy described the shooting as an act of terrorism, stating "A terrorist shot and killed them. Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives."
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Suspect opened fire after museum event in D.C.’s tourist district
Authorities say the shooting happened at around 9:08 p.m. local time on May 21, near the Jewish Museum's entrance to downtown Washington. Witnesses and local law enforcement say the area, which has federal buildings and major tourist attractions, quickly went into lockdown. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the suspect was seen pacing the front of the museum minutes before the attack.
After shooting the victims, Rodríguez allegedly walked into the museum looking upset. Witnesses described Rodríguez as “nervous and agitated.” Police caught Rodríguez shortly after the shooting without incident. Lischinsky, 28, and Milgrim, who was a US citizen, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating the suspect's motive and possible connections.
International leaders condemn “Barbaric Antisemitic Act”
The action prompted swift reactions from world leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump called the killings a “hate crime based on antisemitism,” and, on Truth Social, added they had to, “end now". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the shooting as a “terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel.” President Isaac Herzog called it a “despicable act of hatred,” and struck an alliance with the U.S., to fight such assaults.
In Europe, French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, condemned the shooting and called it an “aberrant act of antisemitic barbarism,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the shooting as “an atrocious attack with clear antisemitic motivations.” Israeli Foreign Minister Giešon Sa'ar referred to rising antisemitism worldwide since the October 7 attacks as part of the root cause. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged that justice would be served and termed the act as “a blatant act of cowardly and antisemitic violence."
