The suspect in Wednesday night’s fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Police say Rodriguez shot and killed Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, an American, outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
The subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team.
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 22, 2025
The US Attorney’s office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions.
The shooting…
The two victims were a couple, and Lischinsky had planned to propose next week in Jerusalem, according to Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. Authorities say Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” during his arrest, and the FBI is investigating the attack as a potential hate crime.
Police said Rodriguez was seen pacing outside before opening fire and later surrendered inside the museum. The victims, described as being “in the prime of their lives,” were mourned by Israel’s diplomatic staff.
Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives.
— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) May 22, 2025
This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8Fr
President Trump called the attack “horrible” and “based obviously on antisemitism,” urging an end to hatred and radicalism. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.