In a heartbreaking tragedy that has sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., and beyond, Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, both staff members of the Israeli Embassy, were fatally shot on Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The young couple, on the cusp of a joyous milestone, had been attending a “Young Diplomats Reception” hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an event designed to foster connection among Jewish professionals and diplomats. Lischinsky, who had recently purchased an engagement ring and planned to propose to Milgrim in Jerusalem the following week, and his beloved partner were gunned down in what authorities have described as a targeted antisemitic attack, leaving their families, colleagues, and communities in profound grief.
The incident unfolded just after 9 p.m. in the 500 block of Third Street Northwest, a vibrant area of Washington, D.C., surrounded by federal buildings, embassies, and cultural institutions. Witnesses reported seeing a man pacing outside the museum before he approached a group of four people, drew a handgun, and opened fire at close range, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim. Both were found unconscious and not breathing when first responders arrived. Despite efforts to save them, they were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, fled into the museum after the shooting but was swiftly detained by event security. According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez shouted “Free, Free Palestine” while in custody and directed authorities to the location of the discarded weapon, which was later recovered. He also reportedly admitted to the crime, stating to an eyewitness that he “did it for Gaza.”
Yaron Lischinsky was a rising star in Israel’s diplomatic corps, serving as a political officer at the embassy. A graduate of Hebrew University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a master’s degree in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy from Reichman University, he was deeply committed to fostering peace in the Middle East. Lischinsky was a passionate advocate for the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations. On his professional profiles, he expressed his belief in expanding regional cooperation and interfaith dialogue, a vision that guided his work and personal life. Known within Israel’s Messianic Jewish community, where his father is a member of a Jerusalem congregation, Lischinsky was remembered as a warm, dedicated individual whose life was tragically cut short.
Sarah Milgrim, a Jewish American employee of the embassy, was equally cherished by her colleagues. The Israeli Embassy issued a poignant statement, mourning the loss of “our friends and colleagues” who were “in the prime of their lives.” The couple’s plans for a shared future, symbolized by the engagement ring Lischinsky had purchased just days before, added a layer of heartbreak to an already devastating loss. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, visibly shaken at a press conference, described the couple as “beautiful” and emphasized their resilience in the face of such violence. “The people of Israel and the United States are resilient,” he said, vowing that the attack would not deter their shared commitment to combating hatred.
The shooting has drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across the globe. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, called the killings “horrible” and “obviously based on antisemitism,” urging that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing shock at the “horrific antisemitic murder,” announced increased security measures for Israeli embassies worldwide. Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the attack as a “despicable act of hatred” and affirmed solidarity with the Jewish community in the U.S. American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch, whose organization hosted the event, expressed devastation, noting that the reception was meant to celebrate unity and humanitarian efforts, including discussions on aid for both Israel and Gaza.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department to determine Rodriguez’s motives and background. Authorities have found no prior interactions with Rodriguez, who was not previously known to law enforcement, but are exploring the possibility that the attack was ideologically driven. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, addressing the community’s fears, stated unequivocally, “We will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city.” Attorney General Pam Bondi, who visited the scene alongside Acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, confirmed ongoing coordination with federal and local agencies to ensure justice.
As the investigation continues, the Israeli Embassy, the U.S. State Department, and Jewish community organizations are rallying to support the victims’ families and embassy staff. Funeral arrangements for Lischinsky are being coordinated with Israeli authorities, while Milgrim’s family is receiving support from both American and Jewish community networks. The tragedy has reignited conversations about rising antisemitism, particularly in the context of heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. For now, the focus remains on mourning two vibrant lives lost and seeking justice for an act that has left a lasting scar on both nations.