In a heartbreaking tragedy that has stunned Washington, D.C., and reverberated across the globe, Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, his partner and a fellow employee at the Israeli Embassy, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum on the evening of May 21, 2025. The young couple, described as vibrant and deeply committed to fostering peace and dialogue, were on the cusp of a new chapter in their lives, with Lischinsky having recently purchased an engagement ring to propose to Milgrim during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. Their untimely deaths, in what authorities are investigating as a targeted act of antisemitic violence, have left their families, colleagues, and communities grappling with profound grief and outrage.
The incident unfolded around 9:08 p.m. as Lischinsky and Milgrim were leaving the “Young Diplomats Reception,” an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum, located in the heart of Washington’s cultural and diplomatic district, just 1.3 miles from the White House. The event, designed to bring together Jewish professionals aged 22 to 45 and members of the diplomatic community, featured discussions on humanitarian efforts in the Middle East, including aid initiatives for Gaza. As attendees exited the venue, a gunman, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, allegedly approached a group of four individuals, drew a handgun, and opened fire at close range, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim. Both were found unconscious and not breathing at the scene, and despite rapid response from emergency services, they could not be saved.
Rodriguez, who authorities say was seen pacing outside the museum prior to the attack, fled into the building after the shooting. Mistaken initially by event attendees as a distressed victim, he was offered water and comfort before he reportedly confessed to the crime and was detained by museum security. During his arrest, Rodriguez chanted “Free, Free Palestine” and was observed wearing a red keffiyeh, a symbol often associated with Palestinian solidarity. He also directed authorities to the location where he had discarded the firearm, which was subsequently recovered. The Metropolitan Police Department, led by Chief Pamela Smith, is working closely with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime or act of terrorism. Early indications suggest the attack was premeditated and ideologically motivated, with no prior interactions between Rodriguez and law enforcement noted in his background.
Yaron Lischinsky, a German-Israeli dual national, served as a research assistant in the Israeli Embassy’s Political Department, specializing in Middle East and North African affairs. A graduate of Reichman University with a master’s degree in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy, and Hebrew University with a bachelor’s in International Relations, Lischinsky was a passionate advocate for regional cooperation. He frequently expressed his belief in the Abraham Accords, emphasizing the importance of expanding peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors for the benefit of the Middle East. His social media posts reflected his dedication to Israel and his pride in the U.S.-Israel alliance, with a recent post expressing gratitude for the partnership between the two nations.
Sarah Milgrim, a Jewish American, worked in the embassy’s Department of Public Diplomacy. She held a master’s degree in International Affairs from American University and another in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace. Her career was marked by a commitment to peacebuilding, including work with Tech2Peace in Tel Aviv, environmental advocacy in India and Central America, and efforts to foster interfaith dialogue. Colleagues described her as a bridge-builder, driven by a passion for cultural and religious understanding through sustainable development.
The attack has elicited widespread condemnation from U.S. and Israeli leaders. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, who visited the scene alongside U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, spoke of the couple’s bright future and their dedication to peace, noting that President Donald Trump had personally called to pledge his administration’s commitment to combating antisemitism. Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, described the killings as “obviously based on antisemitism” and called for an end to hatred and radicalism in the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing shock and grief, ordered increased security for Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide, stating, “We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the shooting a “despicable act of hatred,” affirming the unity of the U.S. and Israel in defending shared values.
The Capital Jewish Museum, a cultural institution dedicated to chronicling the Jewish experience in Washington, D.C., had recently received a security grant to address rising concerns about antisemitism, a growing issue amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. The museum’s executive director, Beatrice Gurwitz, had previously noted the need for enhanced security due to a climate of fear affecting Jewish institutions nationwide. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, addressing the tragedy, vowed that the city would not tolerate violence or hate, emphasizing solidarity with the Jewish community.
As the investigation continues, the deaths of Lischinsky and Milgrim have left a void in the diplomatic and Jewish communities. Their shared vision of peace, rooted in dialogue and cooperation, stands in stark contrast to the hatred that claimed their lives. Vigils and tributes have begun to emerge, with community members like Aaron Shemtov, a rabbinical student, gathering at the scene to honor the couple’s memory. “When a member of the community is murdered for who they are, we stand proud, we stand strong, and we never give up,” Shemtov said. The loss of these two young diplomats, whose lives were intertwined with hope and purpose, underscores the urgent need to confront hatred and violence in all its forms.