A tragic shooting in Washington, D.C., has left two Israeli embassy workers dead, prompting investigations into potential hate crimes and terrorism. The suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, is accused of murdering Sarah Milgrim and her boyfriend, Yaron Lischinsky, after they attended an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night.
According to the FBI, surveillance footage shows Rodriguez approaching the couple as they left the museum. He reportedly shot them in the back before leaning over and firing multiple times as they lay on the ground. Disturbingly, the footage indicates that Milgrim attempted to crawl away, but Rodriguez followed and shot her again. He then jogged back to the museum, where he asked to speak to a police officer, claiming, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
The couple had been celebrating an important moment in their lives, as Lischinsky had recently purchased a ring to propose to Milgrim. Their families are heartbroken. Milgrim’s father, Robert, expressed his fears upon hearing news of the shooting, only to find out later from the Israeli ambassador that his daughter had been killed.
Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and the murder of foreign officials. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison or even the death penalty. The FBI’s investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the incident as a potential hate crime against the Jewish community. At the scene, 21 spent bullet casings were recovered, and Rodriguez had traveled to D.C. with the firearm in his luggage.
In custody, Rodriguez reportedly expressed admiration for a protester who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy earlier this year. This incident has raised concerns about the motivations behind the shooting and its implications on the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza.
Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in federal court again on June 18. The community mourns the loss of Milgrim and Lischinsky, who were described by family as perfect for each other. Their memory will continue to bring joy to those who knew them, even as their absence leaves a profound void.