Suspect 'Returned to Museum' after Killing Israel Embassy Staff: Eyewitness

The suspect in a Wednesday night shooting near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.—which left two Israeli embassy staff members dead—returned to the building after the attack, according to a witness.

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, killed a man and woman near the Capital Jewish Museum and shouted "free, free Palestine" as he was arrested, police said. The victims were leaving an event at the museum organized by the American Jewish Committee focused on coalition-building in the Middle East when they were targeted.

The Context

The attack comes days after Israel launched a major ground offensive in Gaza, dubbed "Operation Gideon's Chariots." Israel says it must eliminate the militant group Hamas from Gaza for its own security.

Israel has launched a campaign targeting Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip in a war that has set tensions aflame across the wider Middle East. It began after the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 that saw 1,200 people killed and some 250 hostages taken to Gaza.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has since killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, The Associated Press reported, citing local health authorities. The fighting has displaced 90 percent of the territory's population of roughly 2 million, sparked a hunger crisis and obliterated vast swathes of Gaza's urban landscape.

What To Know

Jojo Kalin, who organized the American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., told the BBC she saw the suspect inside the building looking "very distraught" after the attack.

"The security let this person in thinking that they were a bystander or witness," she explained. Kalin gave him some water because he appeared distressed, noting that she didn't see a weapon.

Kalin said at that point, "he whips out his red Jordanian kaffiyeh and he yells 'Free Palestine.'"

Reflecting on the purpose of the event in the museum that the couple had attended, Kalin said it's "deeply ironic that what we were discussing was bridge building and then we were all hit over the head with such hatred."

Another witness told The Forward the suspect entered the Capital Jewish Museum after the shooting and remained inside the building for 15 minutes.

"I did see somebody run in. The security guard happened to let this guy in. I guess they were thinking that he was a victim," the witness said. "He was covered in rain, clearly in trauma and shock. Some of the people at the event brought him water and sat him down."

The witness added that the suspect then asked for someone to call the cops before saying "I did this."

"He said, "Sir, I'm unarmed." He put his hands up, grabbed a red kaffiyeh out of his pocket, and started chanting, 'Free Palestine,'" according to the witness. "He was being dragged out of the building as he was yelling "Free Palestine."

"Turns out he was in the building with us for like 15 minutes. Thank god he left the gun in the bushes outside," the witness added.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that two Israeli embassy staff members were killed, in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

"We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice," Noem said.

The Israeli embassy identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. told a news conference that Lischinsky and Milgram were a young couple about to be engaged.

"The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple," Leiter said.

In a post on X, the Israeli embassy said: "Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives."

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said authorities believe the gunman acted alone. She added the suspect was not on the police's radar before the attack.

"We have not had any prior interactions" with the suspect, she said. "We don't see anything in his background that would have placed him on our radar.

"Our joint terrorism task force is working very closely with the FBI to ensure that we can do a deep dive into his background."

In response to the shooting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is tightening security at Israeli missions worldwide and increasing protections for his country's representatives.

What People Are Saying

The Israeli embassy to the U.S. said in a post on X: "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.

"Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time."

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post early Thursday: "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!"

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York posted to X on Wednesday: "Horrific. The shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a heinous act of antisemitic murder and terrorism. U.S. law enforcement must use every tool at its disposal to investigate and prosecute these evil criminals. The U.S. must continue to stand with our most precious ally Israel and work to eradicate this vile antisemitism raging in our streets and around the world."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were suddenly cut short by a vile antisemitic murderer."

What Happens Next
Police are investigating the shooting.