The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees outside a Jewish cultural institution in Washington, D.C., was a targeted act of terror and anti-Semitic violence.
Speaking at a press briefing, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen emphasized the agency’s commitment to a thorough investigation. “This brutal attack is both an act of terror and a directed act of violence against the Jewish community,” Jensen stated. “It has the full and unwavering attention of the FBI, and we will use all available resources to pursue justice.”
The incident occurred on May 21 outside the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee for Young Diplomats. The victims, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were both employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington. According to authorities, one of the victims was an Israeli citizen and an official guest of the U.S. government.
The suspected shooter, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” while being taken into custody by Metropolitan Police. He has since been charged with multiple federal and local offenses, including the murder of foreign officials, use of a firearm resulting in death, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges were announced jointly by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director Jensen, and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, surveillance footage captured Rodriguez walking past the victims before turning and opening fire. He continued to fire at close range even as one victim attempted to crawl away. Investigators recovered a 9mm handgun and 21 spent shell casings at the scene. Rodriguez allegedly entered the museum immediately after the shooting, with witness testimony and video evidence linking him directly to the attack.
Authorities also revealed that Rodriguez had traveled from Chicago to Washington the day before the incident, with the weapon declared in his checked luggage. Investigators are now executing search warrants on his electronic devices and reviewing his social media history, while contacting associates, family members, and co-workers.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the violence, stating, “This was a savage, anti-Semitic attack with no place in any civilized society. We are committed to following the facts and seeking the most severe penalty under the law for this heinous act.”
The investigation is ongoing and is being jointly led by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department, with prosecutorial support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
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