A tragic shooting occurred outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., leaving two Israeli embassy staff members dead. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram, were a couple who were reportedly about to get engaged. They were shot as they left the Annual Young Diplomats reception at the Capital Jewish Museum.
The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, opened fire on a group of four people just over a mile from the White House. Witnesses described a chaotic scene filled with confusion and fear. One event organizer, Jojo Drake Kalin, recounted how she mistakenly offered water to Rodriguez, thinking he was an innocent bystander. It was only later that she realized he was the shooter.
After accepting the water, Rodriguez allegedly pulled out a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, and shouted a pro-Palestinian slogan. He was quickly subdued by police at the scene. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots around 9:07 PM, followed by chaos as security locked down the venue.
Another witness, John Elleson, expressed his horror at the event, describing how he saw Rodriguez shoot the couple. He said, “It was terrible. It was terrible.” Katie Kalisher, another eyewitness, shared her encounter with Rodriguez, who seemed distressed and asked about the museum’s purpose. When she mentioned it was a Jewish museum, he questioned whether that was related to his actions.
The shooting has sparked widespread shock and condemnation. President Donald Trump labeled the killings as "horrible" and rooted in antisemitism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow for the victims’ families, calling the act an abhorrent crime driven by hatred.
The incident has raised concerns about rising tensions and violence related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli diplomats have distanced themselves from comments made by an Israeli minister who accused leaders from the UK, France, and Canada of encouraging terrorism through their criticisms of Israel’s military actions.
As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of Lischinsky and Milgram, whose lives were abruptly cut short in a moment of violence.