A devastating act of violence unfolded in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, as two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum during an event for young professionals.
Authorities say the attacker, who was arrested at the scene, shouted “Free Palestine!” while being handcuffed.
The victims have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a couple who worked for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and were reportedly planning to get engaged.
The two were attending a gathering organized by the American Jewish Committee when they were gunned down around 9 p.m. in the heart of Capitol Hill.
According to police, the suspect — 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago native — approached the pair and opened fire without warning.
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After the shooting, Rodriguez allegedly attempted to blend in with bystanders, but was later arrested by arriving officers. Eyewitnesses told CNN that as police took him into custody, he yelled “Free, Free Palestine,” a chilling moment that underscored the politically charged nature of the attack.
Rodriguez remains in custody and is being questioned by both the D.C. Metropolitan Police and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino stated that early signs point to “an act of targeted violence,” raising serious concerns about the rise in antisemitic incidents amid global unrest.
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The attack comes at a deeply sensitive time for Jewish communities in the U.S. and around the world, as tensions related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continue to escalate.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel in October 2023, has sparked widespread protests, polarizing political debates, and sharp increases in antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the incident late Wednesday, vowing to protect vulnerable communities: “We’ll be doing everything in our power to keep all citizens safe, especially tonight our Jewish community.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in, writing on Truth Social: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
The emotional toll of the attack is being felt far and wide, particularly within the Jewish community. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, called the shooting “an unspeakable act of violence,” adding, “At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”
The brutal slaying of two young diplomats in the capital of the United States, outside a museum dedicated to Jewish history and resilience, is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by rising extremism. As investigations continue, the tragedy has reignited urgent conversations about antisemitism, political violence, and the need for stronger protections for Jewish communities everywhere.
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