Tragic Shooting of Jewish Couple in Washington, D.C.

On May 21, 2025, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, a Jewish couple working for the Israeli Embassy, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The couple, described as deeply in love and planning to get engaged, had just left a Young Diplomats reception focused on humanitarian aid for Gaza when Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old from Chicago, opened fire. Authorities report Rodriguez shot the couple 21 times, shouting “Free Palestine” and “I did it for Gaza” as he was arrested. The FBI is investigating the attack as a hate crime and act of terrorism.

Lischinsky, a researcher, and Milgrim, who worked in public diplomacy, were remembered as peace advocates. Milgrim, a University of Kansas graduate, had volunteered with Tech2Peace, fostering Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Friends described them as empathetic, with Milgrim particularly vocal about alleviating suffering in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their deaths sparked outrage, with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter calling them a “beautiful couple” whose lives were cut short by hatred.

Rodriguez, charged with first-degree murder and murder of foreign officials, had a history of pro-Palestinian activism and expressed admiration for a 2024 self-immolation protest outside the Israeli Embassy. His social media posts condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, reflecting a broader rise in far-left militancy since the October 2023 Hamas attacks, according to experts.

The shooting, condemned as antisemitic by officials and Jewish leaders, has heightened fears of targeted violence against Jewish communities. Candlelight vigils and memorials followed, with calls to end such hate-fueled acts. This tragedy underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the U.S., raising urgent questions about combating extremism.