Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were employees of the Israeli embassy. Credit - IsraelinUSA/X—Getty Images Two Israeli embassy staffwere killed in a shootingoutside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. The victims have been named asYaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. The couple were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee when they were fatally shot. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have arrested 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. The suspect is now being questioned in custody. Witness Paige Siegel told CNNthat she heard Rodriguez say "I did it for Gaza" and "Free Palestine." In a statement shared via social media on Thursday morning,the Israel Foreign Ministry said: "We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing. We embrace the grieving families during this painful time and will continue to support them always." According to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., the two victims were a couple about to be engaged. Read More:The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahusaid that he is"heartbroken" for the families of the victims and that he has "instructed security officials to strengthen protection arrangements for Israeli missions around the world, and to raise the level of security for all state envoys." President Donald Trump condemned the killingsvia a post on TruthSocialand sent his condolences to the families of the victims. "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" he said. "Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA." There continues to be an outpouring of condolences and reactions from U.S. and global politicians: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Our prayers are with their loved ones," Marco Rubiosaid in a post on X. "This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice." We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones.This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio)May 22, 2025 Mike Huckabee remarked upon the "horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning," and said he had been in contact with Attorney General Pam Bondi. Muriel Bowseraddressed the shootings in a press conference, sending her condolences to the families of the victims. "There is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that the horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people... We will not tolerate this violence or this hate in our city," she said. Pam Bondisaid in a press briefing after the shootingthat government agencies "will be doing everything in [their] power to keep all citizens safe, especially tonight, our Jewish community." "We will follow the facts, we will follow the law, and this defendant charged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," she added. Chuck Schumer saidin a statement on Xthat he was closely monitoring the shooting in D.C. "This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society. I'm praying for those who were killed, all those affected, and their families," he said. I'm closely monitoring the shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum tonight in DC.This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society.I'm praying for those who were killed, all those affected, and their… — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer)May 22, 2025 Kristi Noemsaid that the embassy staff were "senselessly killed"and that authorities "are actively investigating and working to get more information to share." Vowing to bring the person responsible to justice, she added: "Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice." In a TV interview with news channel Kron 4,State Sen. Scott Weiner, a Democrat, said:"This is absolutely terrifying… I mourn these two individuals that have been murdered." Wiener also said that Jewish Americans face a high number of hate and religious-based crimes in the U.S. In a statement on X, Sen. Andy Kim of the Democratic Party said that the attack "must be strongly condemned." "Having worked in diplomacy and in embassies abroad before, I am further disgusted by the targeting of embassy personnel on American soil," he said. "My heart goes out to the families of the victims, the Israeli embassy staff, the American Jewish Committee who hosted the event, and others who were present." Sen. Chris Coon, a Democrat,said that he was "horrified to hear"about the shooting. "This is a disgusting act of antisemitic violence that advances no cause but violence and destruction," he said. I'm horrified to hear of the killing of two Israeli diplomats just blocks from our Capitol tonight at an event celebrating Washington's Jewish community. This is a disgusting act of anti-Semitic violence that advances no cause but violence and destruction. — Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons)May 22, 2025 Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said that he was "appalled by the vile attack." "This is a horrific act of violence and antisemitism and the perpetrator must be brought to justice,"he said. Republican Sen. Dave McCormickcalled the "truly horrific" attack"a disgusting act of antisemitic violence in the heart of the nation's capital." In an official statement, Hakeem Jeffries said that he was horrified by the incident. "It is clear that too many of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately fear for their safety in this country simply as a result of their faith," he said. "America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need." Kaja Kallas said she was "shocked" by the fatal shooting of the embassy officials. "There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism,"she said. "I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Israel." Shocked by the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC.There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism.I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Israel. — Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas)May 22, 2025 Antonio Tajanisaid in a statement on X: "I stand with the State of Israel for the tragic murder of two young employees of the Israeli embassy inWashington. Scenes of terror and violence to be strongly condemned." Friedrich Merzsaid that he was shocked by the incident, adding that his thoughts were with the victims' families. "At this stage we must assume an antisemitic motive. I condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms,"he said. Sir Keir Starmercondemned the attackand reaffirmed his support for the Jewish community. "Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears,"he said. "My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and, as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community." I thoroughly condemn the antisemitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC.Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears.My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and, as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer)May 22, 2025 Jean-Noël Barrotcalled the shootings"an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity" and said that "nothing can justify such violence." Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin "strongly condemned" the attack. "My deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of the couple, and the Israeli people,"he said via social media. "There can be absolutely no place for violence or hate." Contact usatletters@time.com.
