Federal Charges In Shooting Deaths Of Israeli Diplomats In Washington D.C.
Friday, May 23, 2025, 3:00 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges & Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- A 30-year-old Chicago, Illinois, man will remain in custody after making his initial appearance on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the U.S. District for the District of Columbia to be arraigned on local and federal charges in connection with the target shooting deaths of Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinshy, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgram, 26, who gunned down Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, FBI Assistant Director Steven J. Jensen, and D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was formally charged on Thursday, May 22, 2025, by federal criminal complaint with the Murder of Foreign Officials; Causing Death Through Use of a Firearm; and Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.
Rodriguez is additionally charged in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia with two counts of first-degree Murder.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, shortly around 9:00 p.m., Rodriguez approached the victims and opened fire on Mr. Lischinsky and Ms. Milgram as they were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Community, which brought together Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community. Both Mr. Lischinsky and Ms. Milgram were employed by the Israeli Embassy. Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen and an official guest of the United States government.
Surveillance Footage Shows Rodriguez Pacing Outside
Surveillance footage revealed Rodriguez pacing around outside the museum and then walking past both Mr. Lischinsky and Ms. Milgram before turning and firing multiple rounds. After both Mr. Lischinsky and Ms. Milgram fell to the ground, Rodriguez allegedly continued to fire at close range, including as Ms. Milgram attempted to crawl away. Investigators recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and 21 spent shell casings.
Following the shooting deaths, Rodriguez entered the Museum and told witnesses he did it for Palestine. Rodriguez had flown from Chicago to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, with the firearm declared in his checked luggage.
“This brutal, anti-Semitic violence has no place in our country or anywhere in civilization,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We will follow the facts and secure the most severe possible punishment for the perpetrator of this heinous, which robbed two wonderful young people of a bright future together.”
“Our community is reeling because of one person’s actions. Two families are left to grieve for dreams that will never be realized,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable. Senseless acts that take innocent lives are intolerable. We will hold accountable anyone who inflicts harm on our families, neighbors, our nation’s citizens, or visitors to our great Capitol City. We are united in that purpose and hold strong against those whose reckless actions claim victims in any part of our community.”
“This Civil Rights Divison is aggressively pursuing every avenue to investigate this crime,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon. “Let me be clear: Hateful violence against Jewish Americans will be met with the full force of the Justice Department. We are expanding enforcement, increasing our outreach, and holding perpetrators accountable wherever the act.”
“Make no mistake: This attack was targeted, anti-Semitic violence,” said Assistant Director in Charge Jensen. “The FBI will continue to pursue all leads and use all available resources to investigate these heinous murders.”
“We continue to work closely with our federal partners and want to assure our community that the safety of all residents and visitors remains our top priority,” said Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing our presence at religious institutions citywide.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges may be filed in the upcoming days.
“The rules of the federal court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
