Forensics officers investigate the shooting site outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two people dead, in Washington, DC, on May 22, 2025.聽
This photograph taken from the official Facebook account of The Embassy of Israel to the United States of America, shows an undated image of Israeli Embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky (R) and Sarah Lynn Milgrim taken at an undefined location.聽
FBI agents cordon off the scene outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two people dead, in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2025. Two Israeli embassy staff members were killed near a Jewish museum in Washington late Wednesday May 21, US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said.聽
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives for a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security oversight hearing, Thursday, May 8, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Forensics officers investigate the shooting site outside the Capital Jewish Museum following a shooting that left two people dead, in Washington, DC, on May 22, 2025.聽
By Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman And Alanna Durkin Richer The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington as they left an event at a Jewish museum told police after his arrest, 鈥淚 did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities said Thursday in announcing criminal charges.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, shouted 鈥淔ree Palestine鈥 as he was led away after his arrest and told police that he was the one who 鈥渄id it,鈥 according to charging documents that provided chilling new details of a Wednesday night attack that killed an American woman and Israeli man who were set to become engaged.
Authorities described the slayings as a targeted act of terror.
Rodriguez faces charges of murder of foreign officials and other crimes. Additional charges are likely, prosecutors said Thursday, as authorities continue to investigate the killings as both a hate crime against the Jewish community and terrorism.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
鈥淰iolence against anyone, based on their religion is an act of cowardice. It is not an act of a hero,鈥 said Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. 鈥淎ntisemitism will not be tolerated, especially in the nation鈥檚 capital.鈥
Court documents made public Thursday say the shooting was captured on surveillance video outside the museum, which authorities say showed Rodriguez firing at the victims several more times after they fell to the ground.
After he was arrested, Rodriguez told detectives that he admired the man who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in February 2024 and described the man as 鈥渃ourageous鈥 and a 鈥渕artyr,鈥 court documents say.
Rodriguez also told detectives that he purchased tickets to the event at the museum about three hours before it started, according to the court documents.
The two people killed, identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, were a young couple about to be engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. He said Lischinsky had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem.
on Wednesday evening prompted Israeli missions to beef up their security and lower their flags to half-staff. It came as Israel has launched another major offensive in the Gaza Strip in a war with Hamas that has and as antisemitic acts are on the rise.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
___
An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that the suspect in the shooting had been charged with shoplifting in Chicago.
___
Associated Press writers Maya Sweedler, Michael Biesecker, Hallie Golden, Jon Gambrell, Stefanie Dazio and Natalie Melzer contributed to this report.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
FIRST UP
You're signed up! You'll start getting First Up in your inbox soon.
Want more of the latest from the Star? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
EMAIL NEWS ALERTS
When big news breaks, don鈥檛 miss it with our free alerts
Error! There was an error processing your request.
There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
EMAIL NEWS ALERTS
You're signed up! You'll start getting news alerts in your inbox soon.
Want more of the latest from the Star? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
Camp is a place where unexpected fun leads to unleashed potential.
With your support, The 海角社区官网Star Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for financially vulnerable children to ignite a lifelong love for adventure at camp. Above all, your kindness makes it happen.