Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Washington event. Authorities are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime and a potential act of terrorism(DC shooting).
What Happened
A tragic shooting on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., left two Israeli embassy employees dead after a man opened fire outside an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. The gathering was meant to bring together young professionals and diplomats.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old from Chicago, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with:
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- Murder of foreign officials
- Discharging a firearm during a crime of violence
- Causing death with a firearm
Witnesses say Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” as he was detained and told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
Victims Identified
The victims were named as:
- Yaron Lischinsky, 30
- Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26
The young couple, soon to be engaged, were remembered by friends and peers as advocates for peace and dialogue between Jewish and Arab communities. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through diplomatic and advocacy circles.
How It Unfolded
According to the FBI affidavit:
- Rodriguez traveled from Chicago to D.C. the day before the shooting.
- Surveillance footage shows him pacing outside the venue near the White House before pulling out a 9mm handgun.
- He fired multiple rounds at Lischinsky and Milgrim, then paused, reloaded, and fired again—even as one victim tried to crawl away.
- After the attack, Rodriguez tossed his weapon, entered a nearby museum, displayed a red Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, and admitted to the shooting.
Authorities recovered:
- The handgun (legally purchased in Illinois in 2019)
- 21 spent shell casings
- A firearm magazine
Investigation Underway
The FBI is investigating whether Rodriguez authored a manifesto titled “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home”(DC shooting), which was posted online shortly before the shooting. The text criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and justified armed resistance.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino confirmed the agency is analyzing the document’s authenticity and Rodriguez’s political affiliations.
Rodriguez had past involvement with:
- The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), which said his contact ended in 2017
- ANSWER Coalition, which has yet to comment
He worked for the American Osteopathic Information Association and previously served as a researcher at The HistoryMakers, a nonprofit preserving African American oral history.
Authorities Respond
Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, recently appointed by President Donald Trump, described the case as “death penalty-eligible” and confirmed authorities are treating it as both a hate crime and potential act of terrorism.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Rodriguez is believed to have acted alone.
Rodriguez made his first court appearance on Thursday and waived his right to a detention hearing. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18 (DC shooting).
Condemnations and Fallout
The incident has prompted reactions from both U.S. and Israeli leaders:
- Donald Trump: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
- Benjamin Netanyahu: “We are witness to the terrible cost of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. Both must be fought to the utmost.”
The attack comes amid rising global tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza, with increasing polarization between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters. Jewish advocacy groups have raised alarms over a surge in antisemitic incidents globally.
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