Israeli Embassy staff members killed outside Jewish museum in Washington, DC

The victims, identified by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot at close range as they exited an event hosted at the museum, located at the corner of 3rd and F Streets NW, an area near several government institutions, including the FBI’s Washington field office.

Lischinsky served as a research assistant for the Middle East and North African Affairs in the Political Department of the Israeli Embassy, while Milgrim worked in the embassy’s Department of Public Diplomacy, who were planning to get engaged next week in Jerusalem, according to their social media accounts and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC,” said US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling the shooting “depraved” and pledging justice for the victims.

Police launched a large-scale response, closing several nearby streets and locking down Georgetown University’s Capitol campus.

The Israeli ambassador was not present at the time of the shooting, according to US media reports.

Reactions by officials

Danon condemned the attack as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” warning that “harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.”

"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,” he said.

Israeli Embassy spokesman Tal Naim Cohen said in a statement that both victims were attending the event when they were targeted.

“We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States,” she said.

In a statement, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the shooting a "despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism," adding: "America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us."

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled the attack a “horrific act of terror.”

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the suspect, identified tentatively as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, was taken into custody after being seen pacing outside the museum before the attack.

“He chanted ‘Free Palestine, Free Palestine’ while in custody,” Smith told reporters, adding that Rodriguez had no prior record with police.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was working with the metropolitan police to learn more.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms,” calling it “a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence” and vowing to “track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”