Two Israeli embassy staff members have been shot dead after leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC, according to Israeli and US officials.
The victims, identified as Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were described by the Israeli embassy as a couple in the prime of their lives. Their deaths have sparked international condemnation and heightened security concerns.
Police have detained a suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, who reportedly shouted Free Palestine as he was taken into custody. Authorities say they are investigating possible ties to terrorism and antisemitic motivations.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the shooting, calling it a direct result of toxic, antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through both diplomatic and Jewish communities in the US and abroad. Investigations are ongoing.
Many global leaders have condemned the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. The attack, described by many as antisemitic, has prompted mourning and heightened security alerts worldwide.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident a “thoroughly antisemitic attack.” He stated, “Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears,” and offered his thoughts to the victims’ families and colleagues. “As always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community,” he added.
In response, Israeli embassies around the world have lowered their flags to half-mast in a sign of mourning. This move followed a directive from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who said the shooting was a result of “toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world,” particularly following the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.
Further details have emerged about the victims. One of them, Yaron Lischinsky, held German citizenship. According to the Times of Israel, the 28-year-old moved to Israel as a teenager and joined the diplomatic service. He was posted to Washington in 2022 to work at the Israeli embassy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the shooting as “despicable” and expressed his solidarity with both the Israeli people and the global Jewish community.
The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” as he was taken into custody. Investigators are now looking into potential terrorism links and whether the attack was motivated by antisemitism.
The victims, Lischinsky and his partner Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were described by the Israeli embassy as being “in the prime of their lives.” Their deaths have been met with widespread grief across both Israel and the diaspora.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that security will be increased at all Israeli diplomatic missions globally in light of the attack.
The White House also responded, with President Trump calling the incident “so sad” and “based obviously on antisemitism.” The U.S. has vowed to support Israel in pursuing justice for the victims.
