WASHINGTON DC – Two staff members of Israel’s Embassy in Washington DC, were shot dead Wednesday night outside the capital city’s Jewish Museum, Kyiv Post’s correspondent reports.
The victims were identified by Israel’s Foreign Ministry as Yaron Lischinsky, a research assistant at the Israeli embassy, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, who worked in the embassy’s public diplomacy department.
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According to Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, the young couple had planned to get engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. Lischinsky had recently purchased an engagement ring.
A suspect was identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who was taken into custody, Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told a news conference.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the incident “a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence.”
“Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice,” Rubio said.
According to police chief Smith, the victims, a young couple, were exiting the museum, which was hosting an event, when they were gunned down at around 9 p.m., local time. The victims’ names have not been released.
The man shouted “Free, free Palestine” in custody and “implied” that he committed the shooting, Smith said.
DC police believe that the incident, which happened in an area with numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, appears targeted.
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After the suspect, who has been detained by authorities, opened fire, he walked inside the museum and was stopped by security, according to officials.
The White House condemned the violence.
“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” President Donald Trump said in a social media post.
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen!” he added.
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