A Chicago man, Elias Rodriguez, has been accused of killing two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, in a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on May 21, 2025, during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for young Jewish professionals. Rodriguez, 31, is set to face federal hate crime charges, with a hearing scheduled for Friday, where more details about his alleged crimes will be revealed.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Rodriguez acted alone and was taken into custody after the attack. The FBI is currently reviewing writings believed to have been authored by Rodriguez, and local, state, and federal authorities are conducting a search of his apartment in Chicago. Police sources have confirmed these investigations are ongoing. During his arrest, Rodriguez reportedly shouted, ‘Free, free Palestine!’ in custody, indicating his possible political stance. The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to determine whether the death penalty will be sought in this case.
The Israeli Embassy expressed profound grief and devastation over the deaths of Lischinsky and Milgrim, who were described as ‘in the prime of their lives.’ The embassy shared details of their relationship, noting that the two victims were dating and on the verge of engagement. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., stated that the slain were planning to get married in Jerusalem. The embassy provided a statement on X, expressing sorrow and support for the victims’ families during this trying time.
The shooting at the museum was a tragic event that took place during a panel discussion focused on finding humanitarian solutions for Gaza. The victims, Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Milgrim, an American, were both working at the Israeli Embassy. Lischinsky served as a research assistant, while Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel. This incident has drawn widespread attention, and the Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed that officers responded to the scene at around 9:08 p.m. on the night of the shooting, finding the victims unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead upon arrival at the scene.
The FBI’s ongoing investigation seeks to uncover any potential connections between Rodriguez and the attack, as well as to examine any writings that might link him to the crime. With the hearing approaching, the case is expected to develop further, providing more insight into the circumstances surrounding this heinous act of violence.