Authorities have charged Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old resident of Chicago, with multiple counts of murder following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night.
The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were a young couple and staff members at the Israeli Embassy, reportedly on the verge of engagement.
The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. as Lischinsky and Milgrim exited an event organised by the American Jewish Committee at the museum, which was focused on fostering dialogue between regions affected by conflict.
According to police, Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the venue before approaching a group of four individuals and opening fire with a handgun at close range. Both victims were struck and later died from their injuries.
After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where he was apprehended by law enforcement. Witnesses and police officials reported that Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine” as he was taken into custody.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Washington Metropolitan Police stated that Rodriguez had no prior interactions with law enforcement before this incident.
Rodriguez now faces a series of charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, and firearm-related offences, according to the criminal complaint filed Thursday.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation and is examining possible motives, including potential bias or terrorism-related factors.
The attack has drawn swift condemnation from U.S. and Israeli officials. President Donald Trump described the killings as “horrific” and called for an end to antisemitic violence in a post on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the attack, attributing it to antisemitism and incitement against Israel.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, confirmed that the victims were planning to become engaged, with Lischinsky intending to propose during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.
Embassy officials and the broader diplomatic community have expressed shock and grief at the loss.
The Metropolitan Police Department continues to lead the investigation, with the FBI and other agencies providing support.
Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward as they work to determine the full circumstances and motivations behind the attack.
