2 Israeli Embassy Staff Killed In Front Of D.C. Jewish Museum – NBC4 Washington

“2 Israeli Embassy staff killed in front of D.C. Jewish Museum – NBC4 Washington”

A person and a lady have been shot and killed in entrance of the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest D.C. Wednesday night. Video exhibits the taking pictures suspect shouting, “Free, free Palestine” as he was taken into custody by authorities after what world leaders name an antisemitic assault.

The Israeli Embassy to the US has recognized the victims of the taking pictures as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

Calling them associates and colleagues, the embassy mentioned in a put up on X that the 2 victims have been “in the prime of their lives.”

Yaron and Sarah have been our associates and colleagues. They have been within the prime of their lives.

This night, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an occasion on the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.

All the embassy employees is heartbroken and devastated by their homicide. No phrases… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8Fr

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) May 22, 2025

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter mentioned they have been a younger couple about to get engaged. The male sufferer had simply bought a hoop and supposed to suggest subsequent week in Jerusalem, Leiter mentioned.

“We’re going to overcome moral depravity of people who think they’re going to achieve political gains through murder,” Leiter mentioned.

The suspect shouted “Free, free Palestine” whereas being arrested, three legislation enforcement officers mentioned. Movies obtained by NBC Information seem to point out the arrest contained in the museum.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned Thursday that he was “shocked” by the “horrific, antisemitic” taking pictures.

“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he mentioned in an announcement.

The taking pictures occurred earlier than 9:10 p.m. within the space of third and F streets in Northwest — an space surrounded by legislation enforcement workplaces. It is behind the FBI discipline workplace and the U.S. lawyer’s workplace. D.C. police headquarters is only a couple blocks away.

Two Israeli Embassy employees have been shot and killed exterior the Capital Jewish Museum. News4’s Jackie Bensen is reside on the scene.

The couple have been leaving an occasion on the museum when a person who had been seen pacing in entrance of the museum approached a gaggle of 4 individuals and opened hearth, putting the victims, Metropolitan Police Division Chief Pamela Smith mentioned.

First responders discovered the victims unconscious on the scene. Life-saving efforts failed.

The suspect then entered the constructing and was taken into custody by occasion employees, police mentioned. He informed them the place he had put the gun and implied he was the shooter, Smith mentioned.

The suspect is recognized as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois. Authorities imagine he’s the lone actor within the crime.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon posted on the social media platform X that further Israeli embassy staff have been injured within the deadly taking pictures. He known as it “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”

News4 has not confirmed any further victims apart from the deceased man and lady.

American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch confirmed his group hosted an occasion on the museum Wednesday night.

“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,” he mentioned in an announcement. “At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”

Whereas Ambassador Leiter was on his option to the scene, he mentioned he obtained a name from President Donald Trump, who informed him his administration will do every thing it could to struggle antisemitism.

“We’ll confront this ethical depravity with out worry,” Leiter mentioned.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” Trump posted on Reality Social.

“The horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and our country,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser mentioned.

She mentioned D.C. is not going to tolerate violence, hate or any acts of terrorism.

“We are going to send a message that we won’t tolerate antisemitism,” Bowser mentioned.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Activity Power is responding, sources conversant in the taking pictures informed News4.

“My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X. “While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families.”

U.S. Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi and performing U.S. Lawyer for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro have been additionally on the scene.

The D.C. authorities introduced grants to assist native nonprofits offset safety prices. News4’s Mark Segraves visited the Capital Jewish Museum, the place new safety issues have arisen due to an LGBTQ+ exhibit.

Police requested individuals to keep away from the realm because the investigation continues.

The D.C. authorities just lately introduced a half million {dollars} in grants for native nonprofits to assist offset safety prices. One recipient is the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, which mentioned it has severe issues about safety, not simply because they’re a Jewish group, but additionally as a consequence of a brand new exhibit targeted on the LGBTQ group.

Stick with NBC Washington for updates to this creating story.