According to the Embassy of Israel to the US, the two were shot and killed by a terrorist as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
A deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of a young couple working at the Israeli Embassy, a tragedy President Donald Trump has publicly condemned while addressing the nature of the attack.
Trump reacted to the shocking incident with a statement on Truth Social. He wrote, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”
Israel also released a powerful statement on X following the deadly shooting, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of two of the embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. Calling the incident a “brutal terrorist attack,” the statement conveyed deep heartbreak over the tragedy.
The message also underscored the courage and sacrifice of Israeli diplomats, describing them as individuals who “stand on the frontlines of Israel’s diplomatic efforts — defending the country with their very lives.” It ended with a strong declaration that Israel will not be shaken by acts of terror and will carry on its global mission with pride and unwavering determination.
In another statement, the Embassy of Israel to the US described the two as “friends and colleagues” who “were in the prime of their lives.” They were killed while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C., in what the embassy labeled as a terrorist attack.
The statement added, “The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss.”
The embassy concluded that its hearts are with the victims’ families and assured it will stand by them during this difficult time.
Milgrim and Lischinsky were flourishing in their careers at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Milgrim worked in the Department of Public Diplomacy and held two Master’s degrees. One is in International Affairs from American University and another in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace.
Meanwhile, Lischinsky, a research assistant for Middle East and North African Affairs in the Political Department, held a Master’s in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy from Reichman University in Herzliya, as well as a Bachelor’s in International Relations and Asian Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, also revealed that Milgrim and Lischinsky were not only thriving professionally but were also preparing to take a significant step in their personal lives.
The couple was about to be engaged, with Lischinsky having purchased a ring and planned to propose in Jerusalem the following week. Their lives were tragically cut short after what was meant to be a peaceful evening at the museum ended in violence.
Despite the heartbreak, the Embassy of Israel remains resolute, vowing not to let terrorism achieve political goals through senseless bloodshed. Donald Trump has also assured the embassy of his commitment to working together to combat and end antisemitism.
The suspect behind the attack has been taken into custody, and the Trump Administration has emphasized their dedication to securing justice for the young couple.
Before his arrest, the man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers, stayed inside the venue, posing as a bystander and accepting help from event attendees. Authorities believe, the alleged gunman, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois he acted alone.
The shooting occurred shortly after an American Jewish Committee event ended around 9 p.m. The suspect was observed pacing outside the museum before he approached a group of four people, pulled out a handgun, and opened fire, according to Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
“After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offense. The suspect chanted, ‘Free, free Palestine,’ while in custody,” noted Chief Smith.
Several eyewitnesses have also provided disturbing accounts of the suspect’s behavior before and after the shooting. Sara Marinuzzi, 28, who attended the event, told CNN that the suspect waited with attendees and pretended to be a bystander.
“There were some more shots, and then a guy came running into the center, and the security guards offered him water, trying to comfort him. He was kind of having erratic behavior. They figured he witnessed the shooting,” she said. “I did it, I did it for Gaza. Free Palestine!”
Another eyewitness, Jojo Kalin, who organized the event and is a board member of the American Jewish Committee, recounted her encounter with the suspect. Kalin did not witness the shooting but interacted with the man inside the building, noting that he appeared “very distraught” afterward.
“At that point, there was some frenzy and some commotion. The security started locking the doors, and a friend of mine said they let someone in off the street,” Kalin shared.
“He seemed very distressed, so I assumed he was a witness to it, and I offered him water. He said, ‘Yes.’ I went to get him water. The moment I handed him the glass of water, he then whipped out a red Jordanian keffiyeh and said, ‘Free Palestine.’ And then the security ran in, subdued him. They didn’t tackle him, but they got him outside,” she recounted.
Kalin emphasized that she never saw a weapon and only later learned that two people had been killed. “I feel guilty that the people were only here on account of our event. I’m confused as to how, of all the people he could have picked, he found the Israeli embassy workers. It’s clearly a targeted anti-semitic attack, like you’re coming to a Jewish museum.”
Speaking to the BBC, Kalin expressed sorrow and guilt despite not knowing the victims. “I didn’t know the couple who were shot but I do feel a sense of guilt, and it’s a very uniquely Jewish thing to feel guilty for the fact that they were there because of an event I organised and then feeling guilty about my guilt when I shouldn’t be centering myself when people’s lives were just lost.”
She explained that the event itself focused on peace and coalition-building efforts. “I’m not going to lose my humanity over this or be deterred. And that Israelis and Palestinians both still deserve self determination and [it is] just deeply ironic that that’s what we were discussing. It was bridge building and then we were all hit over the head with such hatred.”
Eyewitness Paige Siegel told CNN she unknowingly spoke to the suspect after the shooting. “I went up to him and asked if he was okay as he muttered call the police again and again. He said he was okay. Then I asked if he was shot, he said he wasn’t,” Siegel recalled.
Siegel further expressed, “He was so shaken when I spoke to him that he seemed harmless. Obviously I didn’t know at the time.” She added that once the police arrived, he was apprehended while yelling “Free Palestine!”
Reflecting on the experience, Siegel said, “Here we are, a bunch of Jews lumped in one room for him to pick us off. The terrorist sat on a bench, amongst us.”
Israeli officials responded quickly following the deadly shooting. Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, expressed on X the embassy’s strong trust in both local and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate the crime thoroughly and ensure the safety of Israeli personnel and Jewish communities throughout the US.
Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog also addressed the attack, condemning it as an act of deep hatred and antisemitism. He described the victims as young members of the embassy team and extended his sympathies to their families.
The president reaffirmed his support for the embassy and its staff, emphasizing that the people of Israel stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Washington and across the US.
He stressed that despite such acts of terror, Israel and America would continue to uphold their shared values and remain united against those who promote violence and hate.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
