Shooting Outside Washington Jewish Museum: Israeli Embassy Couple Killed, Suspect Arrested

A shooting near the Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of two employees from the Israeli embassy in the United States, during a diplomatic event. The suspected gunman has been taken into custody.

The tragedy unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, May 21, just before 9 p.m., outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. Two members of the Israeli diplomatic staff—a man and a woman—were fatally shot as they left an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which brought together young Jewish professionals.

The two victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were a couple. They were reportedly planning to get engaged, according to Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter: “Yaron had bought a ring this week and intended to propose next week in Jerusalem.” The Israeli embassy expressed being “deeply shaken and devastated” by the loss.

A “targeted” and antisemitic act

The shooter, Elias R., a 30-year-old man from Chicago, was arrested shortly after the attack. According to the Metropolitan Police, he had been seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four and opening fire. He then briefly entered the building, where witnesses saw him appearing disoriented, repeatedly saying “Call the police.” Upon arrest, he shouted “Free Palestine.”

The investigation, led jointly by Washington police and FBI counterterrorism units, is focusing on a targeted act of antisemitic violence. “Nothing in his background would have flagged him to us,” Police Chief Pamela Smith stated.

A symbolic event targeted

The shooting took place at the conclusion of the “Young Diplomats Reception,” an evening organized by the AJC to promote dialogue and celebrate Jewish heritage. The organization expressed its dismay: “We are devastated that such an unspeakable act of violence occurred outside our gathering,” said AJC President Ted Deutch. The museum is located across from FBI headquarters in Washington.

Strong international reactions

U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the killings as “horrible murders clearly motivated by antisemitism” and called for an end to “hate and radicalism.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to bring “all responsible parties” to justice.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered heightened security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide. President Isaac Herzog stated, “Israel and the United States will remain united in defending our people and our shared values.”

At the United Nations, Israeli envoy Danny Danon called the attack a “perverted act of antisemitic terrorism,” saying that “targeting diplomats and the Jewish community crosses a red line.”

Shockwave across Europe

In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ordered immediate reinforcement of security at symbolic Jewish sites. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the attack as “a vile act of antisemitic barbarism.” The French Jewish council (CRIF) expressed solidarity with the victims and the AJC, warning against exploiting the situation in the Middle East.

Reactions echoed across Europe. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the incident a “heinous crime,” while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was “horrified” by the “appalling antisemitic act.”

However, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused some European countries of “fueling antisemitic hatred,” drawing a direct line between inflammatory rhetoric and the attack.