Two Israeli embassy employees killed in Washington D.C.

The suspect in the shooting was identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Chicago resident, who opened fire on the Israeli embassy employees, killing both of them.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect then went to the museum’s lobby and chanted “Free Palestine” slogans.

New allegations have now emerged regarding the suspect, with many social media users linking him to the Chicago branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).

Authorities have not yet confirmed the PSL Chicago connection.

Israeli media reported the names of the slain embassy employees as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram.

The Israeli Embassy stated on X that the victims were “in the prime of their lives” and that “a terrorist shot and killed them as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.”

The embassy expressed that its staff were “heartbroken and devastated” by the murders, adding, “Words cannot express the profound sorrow and horror we feel at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will stand by them during this difficult time.”

The event attended by the embassy staff was announced as a cocktail reception aimed at “strengthening the unity of young Jewish professionals and celebrating Jewish heritage.”

The organizer of the event, the American Jewish Committee, stated that the event was open to the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C. The theme of the event was declared as “turning pain into purpose.”

The event description noted that humanitarian aid organizers responding to “humanitarian crises” in the Middle East, including Gaza, were invited as special guests. While the event’s time was publicly announced, its location was only disclosed to those who registered.

Jojo Kalin, who organized the event, told the BBC Today program that he saw the assailant inside the building and that the person appeared “very distraught” after opening fire.

Kalin stated, “Security guards let this person in, thinking he was a spectator or a witness.” Jojo added that he gave the man water because he looked upset but did not see a weapon.

At that moment, Rodriguez took out a red keffiyeh and shouted, “Free Palestine.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the security of Israeli representatives and diplomatic missions worldwide would be increased.

Netanyahu claimed, “I wholeheartedly share the pain of the families of the beloved young man and woman whose lives were ended by a heinous antisemitic killer. We are seeing the terrible cost of antisemitism and incitement against the state of Israel.”

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office indicated that Netanyahu had spoken with US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Israel’s Ambassador to the US.

The Trump administration also reacted swiftly to the killing of the Israeli diplomats. Trump and his senior officials took to social media immediately after the news broke, stating they would “fight antisemitism.”

Donald Trump called the attack “clearly antisemitism,” writing on his Truth Social account, “Hate and radicalism have no place in the US.”