The man who police suspect of shooting and killing Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. on Wednesday is a 30-year-old man from Chicago, according to law enforcement officials. The shooting occurred around 9:15 p.m. as the victims were leaving an event at the museum. The suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire, as reported by Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.
The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting took place. After the shooting, he walked into the museum and was detained by event security. Officials stated that first responders found the victims unconscious at the scene, but unfortunately, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
**The Suspect**
Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old man from Chicago, has been identified as the suspect in the deadly shooting. The FBI’s Chicago Field Office is assisting in the investigation being conducted by the Washington Field Office. According to officials, the gunman paced outside the museum before opening fire, injuring a man and a woman. He then entered the museum where security managed to detain him. The suspect discarded the weapon inside the museum, which was later recovered.
While in custody, the suspect reportedly shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” according to Chief Smith. Video footage captured by an attendee at the museum and shared on social media shows the suspected gunman being escorted out of the building. Witnesses inside the museum described the chaotic scene, with some individuals coming to the aid of the distressed man without realizing he was the suspect.
Not really sure why all the drama, but the suspect seemed pretty vocal about his beliefs, yelling “Free Palestine” and causing quite a scene inside the museum.
**The Victims**
The victims have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Lischinsky worked as a research assistant, while Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel. In a heartbreaking post on social media, the embassy described the victims as being “in the prime of their lives.”
Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words…
Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, revealed that the couple was planning to get engaged soon, with Yaron having recently purchased a ring to propose in Jerusalem. The shooting took place following the American Jewish Committee’s annual Young Diplomat’s reception at the museum in Washington D.C.
**An Attack on the Jewish Community**
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is Jewish, condemned the deadly shooting as “an attack on the Jewish community.” He mentioned that a member of his team was present at the event but thankfully remained unharmed. Pritzker emphasized the need for unity and peace in the face of such tragedies, urging people to stand against bigotry and hatred.
Not really sure why this happened, but everyone seems pretty shaken up about it. Gov. Pritzker is praying for the victims and their families, hoping to bring some comfort in this difficult time.
In a statement, AJC CEO Ted Deutch expressed his devastation over the loss of the two embassy staff members, calling the shooting a “shocking act of violence.” He stressed the importance of waiting for the police investigation to conclude but hinted at a possible hate-motivated attack against the Jewish community.
Maybe it’s just me, but it really seems like this was a hate crime targeting the Jewish people. The violence and hate need to stop, that’s for sure.
