2 Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed Outside Jewish Museum in Washington, DC

2 Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed Outside Jewish Museum in Washington, DC

Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. 

Israel’s foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

Lischinsky, 30 was a research assistant in the political department at the embassy and Milgrim, 26, organized trips to Israel, according to the ministry.

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Suspect in Custody

The male suspect shouted pro-Palestinian slogans after he was detained, according to law enforcement officials. He was later identified as Elias Rodriguez, age 30. 

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Pamela Smith said at a news conference that Rodriguez exclaimed, “Free, free Palestine,” after he was in custody. He also told the police where he had discarded the weapon used in the shooting, said Smith. 

IsraAID, an Israel-based non-governmental organization, said the event in Washington, DC, where two Israeli staff members were shot dead was focused on humanitarian aid for Gaza.

The event, where IsraAID members were keynote speakers, “focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza through Israeli-Palestinian and regional collaboration,” the NGO said in a statement Thursday, according to CNN.