PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A man opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., killing two Israeli Embassy staff members. The suspect has now been charged with murder.
👥 Who’s Involved: The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, and the victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, both Israeli Embassy employees.
📍 Where & When: The shooting occurred near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
💬 Key Quote: “This is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and my office.” — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
⚠️ Impact: The attack is being investigated as a hate crime and an act of terrorism, with heightened security measures now in place around the area.
IN FULL:
A Chicago man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Elias Rodriguez, 30, is accused of targeting Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a young couple employed by the Israeli Embassy, as they left an event.
Authorities say Rodriguez approached a group of four people outside the museum before opening fire with a 9mm handgun, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim multiple times. According to charging documents, Rodriguez allegedly fired additional rounds at Milgrim after she attempted to sit up. Lischinsky was pronounced dead at the scene, while Milgrim succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported by emergency services.
The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime and an act of terrorism. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro stated during a press briefing, “This is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and my office.”
Rodriguez, who allegedly declared his actions were “for Palestine” and “for Gaza,” was apprehended at the scene after surrendering to law enforcement. He reportedly purchased a ticket to the museum event hours before the attack and had flown to Washington, D.C., from Chicago on May 20 with the firearm in checked luggage.
Court documents indicate Rodriguez legally purchased the handgun in Illinois in March 2020. Investigators recovered 21 spent shell casings, a firearm magazine, and the gun used in the attack.
Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday, where he was informed of the potential penalties if convicted, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18, and Rodriguez remains in custody.
Last month, it was revealed that Rodriquez’s father was invited by Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) to attend President Donald J. Trump‘s Congressional address on March 4. Eric Rodriguez was hailed as an “outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees.”
