What began as a peaceful evening at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., turned into a nightmare when gunfire erupted, claiming the lives of two young Israeli Embassy employees.
The attack, shocking in its calculated precision, has left a community grappling with grief and a host of unanswered questions. Authorities say the shooter deliberately targeted the couple in an act of violent antisemitism, sparking an intense investigation into his motives and whether this tragedy is part of a broader, more sinister scheme.
This week @IsraelinUSA marked Israel’s 77th Independence Day, a day filled with deep personal and national meaning.
— Yarón Lischinsky (@yaron_li) May 10, 2025
On Independence Day, we celebrate the miracle of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland after 2000 years. pic.twitter.com/O8BE8J40IT
In the wake of the shooting, former President Donald Trump condemned the violence in a post on Truth Social, calling the murders “terrible killings clearly driven by antisemitism.”
He urged an end to such hatred and extremism in America, offering his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. “Hatred and radicalism have no place here,” Trump affirmed. “It’s heartbreaking to see violence like this still happening. God bless everyone affected.”
Israel’s official response was swift and somber. On X (formerly Twitter), Israeli officials expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, describing the assault as a “brutal terrorist act.” The statement honored the dedication of Israeli diplomats, praising them as courageous individuals who “stand at the forefront of Israel’s mission—defending the nation with their very lives.” Israel pledged to continue its diplomatic work undeterred, refusing to be cowed by terror.
A profound privilege to be in Washington D.C. for Inauguration Day and to witness one of the greatest political comebacks in history.
— Yarón Lischinsky (@yaron_li) January 21, 2025
Congratulation, Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/iBapYkAPiY
The embassy described the victims as “friends and colleagues in the prime of their lives,” struck down as they left the museum event. The entire staff is “heartbroken and devastated,” they said, extending prayers and support to the grieving families.
We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) May 22, 2025
May their memory be a blessing.
We embrace the grieving families during this… pic.twitter.com/4lNQnTvORG
Milgrim, who worked in the Department of Public Diplomacy, was highly accomplished, holding dual Master’s degrees—one focused on Sustainable Development from the University for Peace, and another in International Affairs from American University. Lischinsky, a research assistant specializing in Middle East and North African affairs, had earned a Bachelor’s from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Master’s in Government and Diplomacy from Reichman University.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, shared the heartbreaking detail that Lischinsky was planning to propose to Milgrim in Jerusalem the following week, marking a hopeful milestone tragically cut short by violence.
President Trump pledged full cooperation with the Israeli Embassy in the pursuit of justice, as authorities arrested the alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago. Police say Rodriguez acted alone and tried to blend in with the crowd before the attack, even accepting water from event attendees while pretending to be a bystander.
The shooting happened shortly after the American Jewish Committee’s event concluded around 9 p.m. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith described how the suspect was seen pacing outside, then suddenly opened fire on a group of four people, two of whom were the embassy staff.
This week @IsraelinUSA marked Israel’s 77th Independence Day, a day filled with deep personal and national meaning.
— Yarón Lischinsky (@yaron_li) May 10, 2025
On Independence Day, we celebrate the miracle of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland after 2000 years. pic.twitter.com/O8BE8J40IT
After the attack, Rodriguez slipped back inside the museum, where he was quickly detained by security. Once in custody, he disclosed the location of his discarded weapon and loudly proclaimed, “Free, free Palestine,” linking the attack to extremist motives.
Witnesses painted a disturbing picture of Rodriguez’s behavior. Sara Marinuzzi, 28, recounted how the suspect waited quietly among guests, then after the shooting acted erratically, repeatedly shouting his justification linked to Gaza. Jojo Kalin, an event organizer and board member of the American Jewish Committee, described offering him water, mistaking him for a distressed witness, before he revealed a red Jordanian keffiyeh and yelled “Free Palestine!” just before security subdued him.
Kalin reflected on the bitter irony: “We were discussing peace and coalition-building when hatred shattered the evening. It’s deeply painful, and I feel a unique guilt that this happened at our event.” She emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians, refusing to let fear or hatred take hold.
Sarah Milgrim was murdered in DC for being Jewish, alongside her boyfriend. He was planning to propose to her next week, he bought a ring. They were both in their 20s, their lives ahead of them. pic.twitter.com/jQ8yCmGcjy
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) May 22, 2025
Another witness, Paige Siegel, said she spoke briefly with the suspect after the shooting, describing him as shaken and harmless at the time, unaware of the deadly attack that had just unfolded. Siegel’s chilling observation: “We were all Jews gathered in one room, and he singled us out. The terrorist sat right among us.”
Israeli officials have reaffirmed their trust in U.S. law enforcement to investigate thoroughly and safeguard Israeli personnel and Jewish communities nationwide. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack as a hateful act of antisemitism, expressed condolences, and underscored the enduring partnership between Israel and America in confronting hatred and violence.
As the investigation continues, the tragic loss of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim has struck a profound chord on both sides of the Atlantic. Their deaths highlight the ongoing threat posed by radical extremism and the vital need for unity and resilience. The Israeli Embassy, alongside allies and partners, remains committed to advancing diplomacy, peace, and understanding—resolute that terrorism will not derail their mission or spirit.
This sorrowful event, while devastating, may serve as a powerful reminder of the strength found in solidarity and the shared determination to overcome hatred wherever it arises.