The Israeli Embassy staffers gunned down in Washington, D.C. Thursday night, allegedly by pro-Palestinian activist Elias Rodriguez,30, from Chicago, as they left an American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum have been identified as a couple who were soon to be engaged to be married, 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim. (Bongino updates at end of article.)
Yaron Lischinsky was a Christian born in Germany who emigrated to Israel as a teenager; Sarah Milgrim, who was Jewish, was from Kansas, reported NBC News (excerpt):
Lischinsky, 30, had planned to propose to Milgrim, 26, next week in Jerusalem, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said. Lischinsky had planned to spend the Jewish holiday of Shavuot with his family in Israel, the AJC said in a statement.
Their deaths prompted an outpouring of grief in Israel and in Overland Park, Kansas, where Milgrim was from, according to the AJC.
Milgrim, who was Jewish, “was warm and compassionate, committed to peacebuilding and passionate about sustainability and people-to-people relations,” the AJC said.
A budding diplomat, Milgrim was also “a beloved member of the AJC-Mimouna Michael Sachs Fellowship for Emerging Leaders community, where she joined other American, Israeli, French, and Moroccan leaders focused on advancing relations in the Middle East and North Africa,” according to the AJC.
Lischinsky held a German passport, a German diplomatic source confirmed to NBC News. On his LinkedIn page, he wrote that he was 16 when he emigrated from the German city of Nuremberg to Israel.
Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, wrote on X that Lischinsky was Christian. The New York Times reported he was the son of a Jewish father and Christian mother.
Tributes have been posted by friends, fellow Embassy officials and others who met them in Washington:
Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim, “Yaron and Sarah, Words cannot begin to describe the heartbreak and sorrow. Just this morning, we were still laughing together by the coffee corner — and now, all that remains is a picture. Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves. What an unbearable loss.”
Yaron and Sarah,
Words cannot begin to describe the heartbreak and sorrow. Just this morning, we were still laughing together by the coffee corner — and now, all that remains is a picture.
Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves.
What an… pic.twitter.com/MNmsb6Y40R— Tal Naim (@TalNaim_) May 22, 2025
Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Proser (excerpt)
Yaron and Sarah— working together at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C.— were murdered in a terrorist attack outside the Jewish Museum.
A young couple with a bright future planning their life together.Yaron, born in Nuremberg, wasn’t just a colleague.
I had the privilege of having him as my master’s student at Reichman University. Bright, curious, engaged.He was a Christian, a true lover of Israel, served in the IDF, and chose to dedicate his life to the State of Israel and the Zionist cause.
He embodied the Judeo-Christian values and set an example for young people worldwide.I paid my condolences to his parents this morning…
Yaron and Sarah— working together at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C.— were murdered in a terrorist attack outside the Jewish Museum.
A young couple with a bright future planning their life together.Yaron, born in Nuremberg, wasn’t just a colleague.
I had the privilege of… pic.twitter.com/0fu3usprAF— Ambassador Ron Prosor (@Ron_Prosor) May 22, 2025
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, “I just met Sarah two weeks ago in my office at EPA HQ. She struck me as a young woman filled with life and positivity. Heartbroken to learn she was one of two tragically murdered last night by a Jew-hating radical screaming “Free Palestine”. May Sarah and Yaron rest in peace.”
I just met Sarah two weeks ago in my office at EPA HQ. She struck me as a young woman filled with life and positivity.
Heartbroken to learn she was one of two tragically murdered last night by a Jew-hating radical screaming “Free Palestine”.
May Sarah and Yaron rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/FkypeO1RsM
— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) May 22, 2025
Zineb Riboua:
Yaron Lischinsky was the finest friend I’ve ever had, brilliant, kind, and endlessly thoughtful. A devout Christian and a gifted linguist, he spoke German, Hebrew, and Japanese. He was full of curiosity and always brimming with ideas. I don’t think we ever had a conversation that didn’t leave me inspired to write something new.
He loved America. He was excited about the future, about finally visiting Texas, and about the life he and his beloved fiancée were building together. I was supposed to meet her today.
They are both gone. And the loss is immeasurable. The world has lost two extraordinary souls. And I have lost a dear friend who made every moment brighter.
Yaron Lischinsky was the finest friend I’ve ever had, brilliant, kind, and endlessly thoughtful. A devout Christian and a gifted linguist, he spoke German, Hebrew, and Japanese. He was full of curiosity and always brimming with ideas. I don’t think we ever had a conversation that… pic.twitter.com/mSnliw9SkD
— Zineb Riboua (@zriboua) May 22, 2025
UPDATES by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who pulled an all-nighter:
1:18 a.m. EDT: “The subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team. The US Attorney’s office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions. The shooting happened a short distance from our Washington Field Office. Our FBI police officers, assigned to posts on the WFO property, immediately responded and rendered aid after the attack. Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence. Our FBI team is fully engaged and we will get you answers as soon as we can, without compromising additional leads.”
The subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team.
The US Attorney’s office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions.
The shooting…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 22, 2025
7:16 a.m.: “Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of your FBI. Targeted acts of anti-Semitic violence are typically carried out by spineless, gutless cowards. And the penalties will be harsh as we tighten up this investigation and run down any additional leads. I should have additional updates for you shortly as I head back to FBI HQ.”
Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of your FBI. Targeted acts of anti-Semitic violence are typically carried out by spineless, gutless cowards. And the penalties will be harsh as we tighten up this investigation and run down any additional leads. I should have…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 22, 2025
11:54 a.m.:
“I have a few updates on last night’s shooting that I want to share with you all, in the interest of transparency. Out of respect for the investigation and the charges being aggressively pursued, we are limited in what we can immediately say, but we want to share as much information with the public as possible as we work through the process and seek justice.
– The FBI is aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect, and we hope to have updates as to the authenticity very soon.
– The subject is in custody and interviewed last night at approximately 1am. As this is a pending investigation, we will share more with you when we are able.
– As our WFO office said, the FBI believes there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. At the same time, I want the public to be assured we are following up on any additional leads to ensure we do our complete and total due diligence on this.
Above all, please pray for the families of the victims. This is something no parent, family member, or friend should have to go through. The FBI sends our condolences and will offer our full support as the investigation continues.
I have a few updates on last night’s shooting that I want to share with you all, in the interest of transparency. Out of respect for the investigation and the charges being aggressively pursued, we are limited in what we can immediately say, but we want to share as much…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 22, 2025
The communist front group Party for Socialism and Liberation distanced itself from the alleged gunman Elias Rodriguez after reports found he was associated with the group’s Chicago chapter in 2017, “We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL. He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.”
We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL. He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do…
— Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) May 22, 2025
Journalist Asra Nomani posted video showing Rodriguez’s chant as he was detained after the shooting was the same as that chanted at Party for Socialism and Liberation marches (note, an eyewitness also reported Rodriguez chanted, “There is only one solution, Intifada revolution.”)
PLEASE WATCH: See and hear how the propaganda of alleged murderer Elias Rodriguez parrots the propaganda of the Party for Socialism and Liberation @pslnational, which admits Elias was a member. They are fomenting violence. @DPearlProject @AGPamBondi @FBIDirectorKash @DNIGabbard pic.twitter.com/J2zWziEmzq
— Asra Nomani (@AsraNomani) May 22, 2025
Eyewitness:
According to this witness, Elias Rodriguez confessed to the double homicide. Another witness says that the victims were executed from behind. pic.twitter.com/3jqUpARmnp
— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) May 22, 2025
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