Two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington were fatally shot near the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening in what officials have described as a politically charged act of violence. The incident unfolded when a gunman approached a group of four individuals and opened fire, according to law enforcement authorities.
Police Chief Pamela Smith confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the scene. “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,” she said during a press briefing. Smith also reported that the assailant shouted, “Free, free Palestine” upon being taken into custody.
The shooter has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago. Witnesses said he entered the museum visibly shaken after the attack. Unaware of his involvement, several people reportedly attempted to assist him. Security personnel at the museum eventually detained him before police arrived.
The victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the museum alongside others when the gunman launched the attack. One died at the scene, while the second succumbed to injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
Though the identities of the victims were initially withheld, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter later stated that they were a young couple on the verge of becoming engaged. “The man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” Leiter said.
Former Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog revealed that the woman was a US citizen employed by the embassy, while the man was an Israeli national. The male victim was later named as 28-year-old Yaron Lischinsky, an analyst at the embassy.
In his LinkedIn biography, Lischinsky wrote: “I’m an ardent believer in the vision that was outlined in the Abraham Accords and believe that expanding the circle of peace with our Arab neighbors and pursuing regional cooperation is in the best interest of the State of Israel and the Middle East as a whole.” He also described himself as an “advocate for interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding.”
The attack drew strong condemnation from Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he was “shocked” by the “horrific, antisemitic” shooting, adding, “We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, labeled the shooting a “depraved act of antisemitic terrorism.” He added, “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.”
The event attended by the victims was focused on humanitarian efforts and promoting dialogue. Witness Yoni Kalin described the evening’s theme: “This event was about humanitarian aid,” he said. “How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel? How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.”
