Washington DC shooting latest: Elias Rodriguez charged with first-degree murder of Israeli Embassy couple
Victims named as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram while suspect identified as Elias Rodriguez
Jewish organizations in Washington, D.C. are reviewing security protocols at synagogues and other institutions, in the wake of the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers Wednesday night.
Ron Halber, chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said that local law enforcement has increased patrols around Jewish institutions in Washington since the killings.
“A lot of us are looking over our shoulder today,” Halber told Reuters. “But we have to keep leading proud open Jewish lives.”
The two victims were named as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a couple who were engaged. Lischinski's coffin arrived back in Israel on Friday, per ABC.
Chicago man Elias Rodriguez, 30, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder over their killings, which took place outside of a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
Rodriguez chanted “free, free Palestine,” according to police, after reportedly shooting at the couple at least 21 times. Court documents show that police recovered 21 fired bullets and a 9mm handgun from the scene, CNN reported.
It has since emerged that the suspect’s father, Eric Rodriguez, was invited to President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on March 5 this year by a Democratic lawmaker.
Couple were about to become engaged, before tragic shooting
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were days from becoming engaged, before they were fatally shot after leaving an event at a Jewish museum on Wednesday night.
Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter said Lischinsky had recently purchased a ring, and had planned to propose to Milgrim next week when they were in Jerusalem.
“Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives,” the embassy said later in a statement. “The entire embassy staff [is] heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss.”
Lischinsky was described as a “clever and inspiring person” by a friend, while Milgrim was a curious person with an “unwavering belief” in peace and equality, according to her former employer.
Read more about the couple here:
What to know about the Israeli Embassy staffers killed in D.C
In pictures: people attend vigil for shooting victims
Mourners attended a candlelit vigil for Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the White House on Thursday.
Socialist party denies Israeli embassy shooting suspect is a member
The man charged with murder over the shooting deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim had a brief association with a left wing group.
Elias Rodriguez had a “brief association” with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which advocated on behalf of Palestinians, the group confirmed in a post on X.
The group added that Rodriguez was not a member and that his activism with them ended in 2017.
“We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL... We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.”
Read the full story here:
What we know about Elias Rodriguez, suspect in shooting of Israeli embassy workers
Starmer ‘on wrong side of history’ after Israeli embassy shooting, Netanyahu says
Israel’s leader has accused Sir Keir Starmer and other world leaders of “being on the wrong side” of justice, humanity and history after two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead in Washington D.C.
Starmer ‘on wrong side of history’ after Israeli embassy shooting, Netanyahu says
Guest recalls moment alleged gunman sat with her after the shooting
A guest at the Capital Jewish Museum event has recalled the moment the alleged gunman sat near her after the shooting.
Paige Siegel told the Washington Post she watched a man rush into the building who appeared shaken.
She told the newspaper the man seemed to be a “normal person that you walk by on the street”, and her friend offered him a cup of water.
But then, Siegel said he stood up.
“He starts screaming, ‘I did it. I did it for Gaza,’” she said.
Comment: The Washington DC shootings have bought Netanyahu international sympathy – for now
Just as Israel seemed on the brink of losing some of its most durable diplomatic support, the killing of two Israeli diplomats in Washington DC could have the effect of calling that shift into question, or at least putting it on hold, Mary Dejevsky writes:
The Washington DC shootings have bought Netanyahu international sympathy – for now
Rodriguez listened impassively in court as charges read
Elias Rodriguez, 31, appeared in federal court in Washington on Thursday in a white jail suit and listened impassively as charges and possible punishments, which include the death penalty, were read.
Rodriguez faces charges of murder of foreign officials and other crimes and did not enter a plea during a perfunctory court appearance.
Additional charges are likely, prosecutors said, as authorities continue to investigate the killings as both a hate crime against the Jewish community and terrorism.
Charging documents provided chilling new details of Wednesday night’s attack, revealing Rodriguez shouted "Free Palestine" as he was led away after his arrest.
Federal authorities said that Rodriguez told police after his arrest, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
Jeanine Pirro, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said: "Violence against anyone based on their religion is an act of cowardice. It is not an act of a hero.
"Antisemitism will not be tolerated, especially in the nation's capital."
Dad of alleged shooter was invited to Trump address by Democrat in March
The father of the man charged over the shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staffers was invited to President Donald Trump’s joint address in March by a Democratic lawmaker, according to reports.
“Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family,” Illinois Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia told the New York Post.
In March, Garcia described Rodriguez as “an outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees,” according to the Post.
In a statement at the time, the Democrat continued: “Eric represents the very best of our community — someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people.”
On Thursday Rodriguez’s son Elias was charged with two counts of first degree murder over the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
Garcia condemned the “horrible, senseless act of antisemitism” earlier in the day.
Mourners gathered in vigil for Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim
Outside the White House, mourners gathered for a candlelit vigil for the couple who were shot dead at a Jewish event in Washington D.C.
About 200 people gathered at the makeshift memorial on Thursday evening, the New York Times reports, and tea light candles were arranged in the shape of the Star of David.
The group sang Hebrew songs, the newspaper reported, as well as the Star Spangled Banner.
Israeli ambassador to U.S. says 'stop delegitimizing us' following shooting
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said the fatal shooting of two staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim,” was part of an international move to “delegitimize and demonize Israel”.
“We're called the worst kinds of names. Our prime minister is called a war criminal. All of our soldiers are referred to in such derogatory fashion,” he said in an interview with PBS on Thursday.
Asked what he thought was causing this sort of hate, Leiter said it was “the demonization of the state of Israel, the attempt to say that we are interlopers or colonizers or occupiers, that we don't really belong.”
Leiter said global leaders including Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron had explaining to do over their criticisms of Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“Stop beating up on Israel. Stop condemning us. Stop delegitimizing us. We're not doing anything that is comparable to what we're being charged with doing,” he said.
