Late Wednesday evening, a gunman opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, killing two young employees of the Israeli embassy, officials said. Witnesses reported the shooter shouting “Free Palestine” as he stood over the victims, a couple who had planned to marry, before fleeing into the museum where he was apprehended by security.
President Donald Trump denounced the killings as an act of antisemitism in the nation’s capital, declaring on social media, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
The shooting occurred on the sidewalk as the museum was hosting a reception for young professionals and diplomatic staff organized by the American Jewish Committee. According to Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith, the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, paced outside the event, confronted a group of four people, produced a handgun, and opened fire. After the attack, he entered the museum and was detained; he later revealed where he discarded the weapon.
Israel’s foreign ministry named the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, a research assistant at the embassy, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, who worked in its public diplomacy department. Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described them as a “beautiful couple” on the verge of engagement—Lischinsky had even purchased a ring to propose in Jerusalem the following week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the murders as the “terrible price of antisemitism,” announcing heightened security at Israeli missions worldwide. “Blood libels against Israel are paid in blood—and they must be fought relentlessly,” he said, calling the shooter a “despicable antisemitic murderer.”
Leaders in Britain, France, Germany, and elsewhere also condemned the violence. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, called the attack “senseless hate and violence,” stressing that it appeared motivated by hatred of Jewish people and the Jewish state.
The museum, located just over a mile from the White House and steps from the U.S. Capitol, was sealed off by police, who responded to emergency calls around 9:00 pm. First responders found the couple unresponsive; despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Mayor Muriel Bowser vowed that Washington would not tolerate antisemitism or violence, saying, “We’re going to stand together as a community…to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism.” Emergency vehicles remained in the area into the early hours as investigators continued their work.
