TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Wednesday night, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were fatally shot after they attended an event at a Jewish museum in Washington, DC. Authorities have detained a suspect in the shooting, and the Israeli government has released the identities of the victims, The New Arab reported.
Here is a complete review of what has transpired:
How Did the Shooting Occur?
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both employees of the Israeli embassy, left the annual Young Diplomats Committee of the American Jewish Museum's reception at around 9:15 pm. According to the Metropolitan Police, a suspect approached a group of four people and began shooting.
Witnesses reported that before the shooting, the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was seen pacing outside the museum. He then approached a small group and shot two people at close range, according to the police.
Witnesses indicated that initially, security and onlookers thought the suspect was a victim. He was allowed inside, given water, and comforted by those in attendance. Yoni Kalin, who was at the museum, said some people at the event got him water. They sat him down. "Are you okay? Are you shot? What happened? And he's like 'someone call the police," to U.S. media.
He then asked others to call the police. When officers arrived, he raised his hands, claimed responsibility by saying "I did this," and stated that he was unarmed.
When security guards restrained him, Rodriguez pulled out a red keffiyeh, a traditional Middle Eastern scarf, and began shouting, "Free Palestine." He continued to chant the slogan even as law enforcement officers escorted him out of the building. Later, Rodriguez led the police to where he had discarded his weapon.
Who Are the Shooting Victims?
Israeli officials identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen and research assistant, and Sarah Milgrim, who was in charge of arranging visits and delegations to Israel.
According to the Israeli ambassador to the United States, they were about to get engaged. It was reported that Lischinsky purchased a ring earlier this week and planned to propose in Jerusalem the following week.
X's profile (previously Twitter), Lischinsky described him as a political analyst at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with academic connections to the Reichman University's Lauder School of Government and the Hebrew University of Israel. His most recent post was a retweet from Israeli diplomat Amir Weissbrod, who criticized the United Nations (UN) warning about the risk faced by 14,000 Palestinian babies in Gaza as "slander."
Who is Elias Rodriguez?
Elias Rodriguez is a 30-year-old resident of Chicago, has been active in political and social activities. He is known for his involvement with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and participation in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, as reported by NDTV.
In 2017, Rodriguez was among the demonstrators who protested outside the then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's residence. The protest, organized by groups such as the People's Resistance Congress, ANSWER Chicago, and Black Lives Matter Women of Faith, marked the anniversary of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald. During the demonstration, Rodriguez spoke about the relationship between systemic racism, economic inequality, and the city's efforts to attract the headquarters of Amazon.
Laquan McDonald was a 17-year-old black teenager who was shot 16 times by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in 2014, a case that became a focal point of protests against police brutality across the United States.
Rodriguez was arrested and interrogated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI. U.S. prosecutors in Washington will prosecute the case.
What is the Reaction to the Shooting?
President Trump immediately posted his comments on social media on Thursday morning. "These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!"
He added that hatred and radicalism have no place in the U.S. "Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God bless you all!"
Israeli officials condemned the shooting, calling it an antisemitic act. However, beyond the pro-Palestine chants uttered by the suspect during his apprehension, little is known about his motive.
"We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
Quoted by Al Jazeera, Mohamad Elmasry, a media studies professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, described the attack as "horrific" and emphasized that it should be condemned regardless of its political beliefs. He noted that the Trump administration, Israel, and some of its supporters have labeled the incident as an act of antisemitism, which indeed could be an overt manifestation of open anti-Jewish hatred that must be condemned.
However, Elmasry also raised the possibility that the attacker, Rodriguez, may have carried out this act as vigilantism against the State of Israel or as an expression of frustration with the situation in Gaza or Israel's apartheid policy, which targeted embassy staff as a result. He highlighted that these differences are crucial because if his motive is related to political grievances, it would require a different response approach.
What's Next?
Police Chief Smith stated that law enforcement currently does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community, Al Jazeera reported.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that he and his team have been briefed on the shooting and are collaborating with the Metropolitan Police Department to respond to and gather more information. He urged the public to pray for the victims and their families.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser asserted that her administration will not tolerate violence, hatred, or terrorism in the city. She emphasized the community's determination to unite against antisemitism in the coming days and weeks ahead.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that the Israeli flags at ministry headquarters and missions worldwide would be flown at half-mast on Thursday as a sign of respect.
The shooting occurred amid Israel's escalating military campaign in Gaza aimed at seizing the entire Gaza Strip, along with an 11-week aid blockade that has faced widespread condemnation.
Editor's Choice: Israeli Diplomats Fatally Shot in Washington, DC
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
