Elias Rodriguez named as suspect in killing of 2 Israeli embassy staffers
The tragic incident that occurred at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night has left the nation in shock. The suspect accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, has been identified. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were set to be engaged, adding an even more heartbreaking element to this senseless act of violence.
According to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez is believed to have acted alone and is currently in custody. A gun was recovered from the scene, further solidifying his involvement in the crime. Eyewitnesses, such as Katie Kalisher, described their encounters with Rodriguez prior to his arrest. Kalisher recounted how Rodriguez, looking distressed and covered in rain, entered the museum after shots were heard outside. He expressed his motives to her, claiming he did it for Gaza and shouting “Free, Free Palestine!” before being apprehended by the police.
Rodriguez’s background has also come to light, with a LinkedIn page listing his most recent employment as an Oral History Researcher at The HistoryMakers. Prior to that, he worked in various roles in the technology space and as a content writer. An article from 2017 mentioned his participation in protests against police brutality and gentrification in Chicago, shedding some light on his activist background.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation, with which Rodriguez had a brief association in 2017, has distanced itself from the shooting, stating that they have had no contact with him in over seven years and do not support his actions. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of Rodriguez’s motives and any possible accomplices.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the impact of extremism and violence on innocent lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as the entire Israeli Embassy community. May justice be served, and may we strive for peace and understanding in the face of such senseless acts of aggression.
