FBI Confirms No Ongoing Threat After Double Homicide Near Capital Jewish Museum; Suspect’s Radical Affiliations Under Scrutiny
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 23, 2025 – The tragic deaths of two Israeli Embassy staffers—Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26—have stunned both diplomatic circles and the Jewish-American community after the couple was gunned down in Washington, D.C. Thursday night by a suspected pro-Palestinian radical outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
The alleged assailant, Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, opened fire on the couple as they exited an American Jewish Committee (AJC) event. Multiple eyewitnesses described Rodriguez shouting anti-Israel slogans, including “Free Palestine!” and “There is only one solution: Intifada revolution!”
The FBI confirmed Rodriguez is in custody and being interrogated following his arrest late Thursday. According to FBI liaison Dan Bongino, officials are actively reviewing radical writings linked to Rodriguez, who had prior affiliations with far-left extremist group PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation).
“We are conducting a full-spectrum investigation, including digital forensics and radical network ties,” Bongino stated. “There is no ongoing threat to the public, but this case is a top national priority.”
The Victims: A Love Cut Short
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were reportedly soon to be engaged. Lischinsky, born in Nuremberg, Germany, to a Christian mother and Jewish father, moved to Israel at age 16. He served in the IDF, held dual citizenship, and was known as a brilliant linguist and rising star in Israeli diplomatic circles.
Milgrim, originally from Overland Park, Kansas, was deeply committed to interfaith diplomacy and peacebuilding. She worked closely with AJC’s Michael Sachs Fellowship, building bridges between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian youth in the Middle East and North Africa.
“Sarah was light personified—empathetic, brilliant, and unstoppable,” said one AJC colleague.
“Yaron was the best of us—Christian by faith, Israeli by choice, and committed to our shared values,” said Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor.
White House and Diplomatic Response
While the Trump administration has yet to issue a formal statement, insiders suggest President Trump is “furious” about the attack and is considering designation reviews of certain extremist organizations.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin posted, “I just met Sarah two weeks ago. She was a beam of positivity. This is a dark day for America and for Israel.”
Suspect’s Radical Ties Emerge
Elias Rodriguez was briefly affiliated with the Chicago chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in 2017. The group, however, has denied any current association with him, stating:
“We reject any attempt to associate PSL with the DC shooting… We have had no contact with Rodriguez in over 7 years.”
Still, video evidence and eyewitness testimony suggest Rodriguez shouted chants aligned with PSL demonstrations as he was taken into custody. Independent journalist Asra Nomani posted footage indicating clear ideological motives behind the shooting.
“This was an anti-Semitic terrorist attack, pure and simple,” Nomani said. “The evidence is overwhelming.”
Investigation Ongoing
Dan Bongino emphasized that the FBI is treating the case as a politically motivated hate crime and may escalate it to a domestic terrorism case, depending on what the suspect’s writings and communications reveal.
“This isn’t over. We are leaving no stone unturned,” Bongino said.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking attack underscores a surging wave of extremist violence targeting Jewish Americans and Israeli diplomats. With global tensions on the rise and radical groups emboldened, this latest attack is not just a tragedy—it’s a national wake-up call.
May the memories of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky be a blessing—and a call to vigilance.