Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy were shot dead in the US this Wednesday night while they were walking out of a Jewish museum in Washington. The incident has attracted significant outrage among the Israeli officials. According to the reports, Elias Rodriguez from Chicago was arrested in connection with the shooting. If you are someone who wants to know more about the 2 staff members of the Israeli embassy who were killed in the shooting, the following article is for you. It includes everything we know so far about both the victims and the suspect.
What Exactly Happened With The 2 Israeli Embassy Staff Members On Wednesday?
The officers in Washington received multiple calls from near the Capital Jewish Museum at about 9:00 PM on Wednesday. The museum is located at 3rd and F streets in Northwest, Washington, DC, which is near the FBI field office as well as the U.S. Attorney General’s office. On Wednesday night, 2 Israeli Embassy staff members were leaving an event that was held in the museum. That’s when the suspect approached four people and opened fire.
According to what the Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said during the news conference, the first responders reached the crime scene and found both the staff members unconscious and not breathing. The two Israeli Embassy staff members were later pronounced dead. According to the police, the suspect was arrested at the museum and also identified the discarded weapon, which was recovered.
What Do We Know So Far About The 2 Israeli Embassy Staff Members Who Were Shot Dead?
According to the statement from the Israeli Embassy, which is located in Washington, the two staff members who suffered the tragic fate were Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. According to some German Diplomatic Sources, Yaron Lischinsky was also the holder of a German passport. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States of America, revealed, the two staff members killed in the incident were a couple and were soon about to get engaged. Leiter mentioned that the man purchased a ring earlier this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend in Jerusalem next week.
What Do We Know So Far About Elias Rodriguez, Who Allegedly Fired The Shot?
Elias Rodriguez is a 30-year-old man and the only suspect in the shooting that took place in Washington on Wednesday. He’s from Chicago and was reportedly not on the police department’s radar before the shooting occurred. Hence, there was no alert before the shooting happened. The police department did not specify any reason or motive for his crime. Gideon Saar, the foreign minister of Israel, blamed anti-Semitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world. According to Police Chief Smith, Elias Rodriguez started chanting “Free, free Palestine” as soon as he was arrested.
How Did The World React To The Killing Of 2 Israeli Embassy Staff Members?
President of the United States Donald Trump severely condemned the attacks and called them an obvious act of antisemitism, adding that this should stop now. He expressed his condolences to the families affected and made it clear that hatred and racism have no place in the USA. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also stated that he has instructed officials to improve the security arrangements at Israeli missions around the globe and to increase protection for state representatives. Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, also called the killings heinous on X.
Kaya Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, also mentioned that the incident was shocking and extended condolences to the families of the victims. The Foreign Secretary of State of the UK also condemned the incident. Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, termed the incident an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity. The Prime Minister of Ireland condemned the incident and expressed his sympathy for the family of the victims. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also extended full support to the State of Israel and condemned the incident.
Kash Patel, FBI Director, also wrote on X that the bureau is working with the MPD to learn more about the incident and respond accordingly. Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, stated that her administration is not going to tolerate violence or hate in the city.
