DEVELOPING STORY: A gunman shouted “Free, Free Palestine” before opening fire on two people Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Two Israeli diplomats were shot and killed.
The suspect is identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago.
The two Israeli diplomats had just left an event for young professionals when they were gunned down. The victims, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were about to be engaged.
“Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives,” the Israeli Embassy in Washington wrote on social media.
The couple met about a year and a half ago, after Ms. Milgrim joined the embassy. They had been scheduled to travel this weekend to Jerusalem, where Ms. Milgrim was planning to meet Mr. Lischinsky’s parents for the first time, and Mr. Lischinsky was planning to propose, according to Mr. Leiter, the Israeli ambassador.
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a message on X stating that she was “on the scene of the horrible shooting outside” the museum.
“Praying for the victims of this violence,” she wrote, noting that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro was also at the crime scene.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, condemned the attack calling it a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
“Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line, “Danon wrote on X. “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”
The American Jewish Committee released a statement saying “we are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS is actively investigating the attack.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share,” she wrote on X. “Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) called it a “heartbreaking tragedy.”
“This vile act of anti-Semitic violence is not just an attack on a community—it’s an attack on the values we all hold dear as Americans,” the congressman said. “We must stand united in condemning this hatred. It cannot, and will not be tolerated.”
Pre-order a copy of my new book, “Star-Spangled Blessings: Devotions for Patriots.” You’ll discover untold stories about how God used the most unusual people to build our great nation. Click here to pre-order.