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23 May 2025 11:04
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  •   Home > News > International

    What we know about Washington DC shooting that killed young couple outside Jewish museum

    Israel has identified the two victims, who were a young couple, and the suspect will be interrogated on Thursday morning.


    Two Israeli embassy members had been shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

    The Embassy of Israel to the USA has confirmed that the two victims were a young couple, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

    Here is what we know about the shooting and the world's reaction to it.

    What has happened?

    The two victims were shot and killed when they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum about 9:15pm on Wednesday, local time.

    The museum is located about 2 kilometres from the White House.

    [map]

    Pamela Smith, the Washington Police Department chief, said the shooter was seen pacing back and forth near the museum before the shooting.

    She said he shot at a group of four people with a handgun.

    After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by event security.

    "Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offence," Ms Smith told reporters.

    "The suspect chanted, 'Free, free Palestine', while in custody."

    She added that the suspect, who was a lone gunman, had no previous contact with police.

    The police chief said law enforcement did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the community.

    Who are the victims?

    The two victims have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

    "The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder," the embassy said on a post.

    "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss."

    [embassy post]

    Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, said the victims were "a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington's cultural centre".

    "The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend," he said.

    Former Israeli ambassador to the US Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio that the woman killed was an American employee of the embassy and the man was Israeli.

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had heard one of the two victims killed was possibly a German citizen, Reuters reported. 

    What do we know about the suspect?

    The suspect has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, who comes from Chicago.

    It was not immediately clear whether Mr Rodriguez had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

    He will be interviewed by DC's Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI early on Thursday.

    The US attorney in Washington will prosecute the case.

    What has been the reaction?

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with the parents of Yaron and Sarah, saying "he shares their deep sorrow along with the entire Israeli people".

    Mr Netanyahu also spoke with US Attorney-General Pam Bondi, who promised that the suspect and all those who collaborated with him would be brought to justice, and that the American administration would continue to fight firmly against antisemitism.

    "We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the state of Israel. The blood libels against Israel are rising in blood and must be fought to the bitter end," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

    He said security would be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused unnamed European officials of "toxic antisemitic incitement" that he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of the couple occurred.

    "This is a direct result of toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world that has been going on since the October 7 massacre," he said.

    Mr Saar did not name any countries or officials but said the climate of hostility towards Israel was behind the shooting.

    US President Donald Trump has also condemned the shooting.

    "These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" Mr Trump said on the Truth Social platform.

    "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."

    German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed his shock at the killing, saying, "Nothing can justify antisemitic violence."

    ABC/ wires

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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