Two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, a young couple soon to be engaged, were shot and killed on Wednesday evening by a man from Chicago who shouted “Free, free Palestine” after being taken into custody.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been accused of opening fire on a group of people as they were leaving an event for young professionals and diplomats. The gathering was organised by the American Jewish Committee, a group that works against antisemitism and supports Israel.
The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26. The couple was planning to get engaged .
Now, a document believed to belong to Rodriguez appeared on social media about an hour after the shooting.
In this explainer, we look at who Elias Rodriguez is, what the document and his social media activity show, and what took place on the night of the shooting.
Let’s take a look:
Who is Elias Rodriguez?
Rodriguez has been charged with the murder of foreign officials along with other offences. During a brief court appearance, he did not enter a plea.
Prosecutors have said more charges could be added as the case is still under investigation. Authorities are looking into whether the attack was a hate crime targeting the Jewish community and if it amounts to terrorism.
Rodriguez has been active with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and has also been involved in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, according to reports.
Back in 2017, he took part in a protest outside the home of then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It was led by groups including the People’s Congress of Resistance, ANSWER Chicago, and Black Lives Matter Women of Faith.
After the shooting, Rodriguez went inside a museum nearby and admitted to the act. By the time he was arrested, he was no longer armed, the affidavit states.
“I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed,” he reportedly said.
Footage showing 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez yelling “Free Palestine” while being taken into custody by D.C. Metro Police, after shooting and killing two staffers of the Israeli Embassy outside of the Capital Jewish Museum tonight in Washington,
Rodriguez also told police that he looked up to a US Air Force service member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in February 2024. He referred to the man as “courageous” and a “martyr,” according to court documents.
An FBI affidavit claims that the attack was planned in advance. Rodriguez is said to have flown from Chicago to Washington on Tuesday, bringing a handgun in his checked luggage. He also bought a ticket for the event about three hours before it began.
Rodriguez was born and raised in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in English.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on social media that investigators are “aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect” and are working to confirm whether they are genuine.
His remarks seem to refer to a manifesto signed with Elias Rodriguez’s name, which was posted on an anonymous X account shortly before the shooting on Wednesday.
The post, titled “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,” accused Israel of killing tens of thousands of Palestinians since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. It also discussed the idea of “armed” action and its moral justification.
Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives.
This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words…
The manifesto began, “In the wake of an act people look for a text to fix its meaning so here’s an attempt.
“The atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestine defy description and defy quantification.”
It claimed that Rodriguez believed many Americans would now see his actions as “highly legible” and even rational.
The message ended with the words, “Free Palestine – Elias Rodriguez.”
Alongside this, a LinkedIn profile that appeared to be his stated that he had been working as an administrative specialist since July.
His earlier roles included production and logistics coordinator and oral history researcher for HistoryMakers, a nonprofit organisation that works to preserve African American history.
Firstpost has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the profile.
What happened during the shooting?
The shocking attack led Israeli missions around the world to tighten security and lower their flags to half-mast.
The shooting took place at a time when Israel is carrying out a major operation in Gaza in its war with Hamas, a conflict that has raised tensions across the Middle East and globally. US law enforcement had already warned that such events could lead to violence within the country.
The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli national, and Sarah Milgrim, an American. According to Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, the couple were soon to be engaged
Friends and colleagues remembered them on Thursday as warm and curious individuals, committed to peace and to building understanding across cultures and faiths.
The couple were walking out of the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect approached a group of four people and began shooting. Witnesses said he had been pacing nearby and acting strangely beforehand.
Surveillance footage showed Elias Rodriguez moving in on the two victims after they had fallen, leaning over and firing again. He appeared to reload his weapon before running away, according to the FBI.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Thursday that he was “shocked” by what he called a “horrific, antisemitic” attack.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he said.
Former US President Donald Trump also condemned the killings.
“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” he posted on Truth Social. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
