Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of shooting and killing two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, now faces two charges of murder in the first degree as well as gun crimes.
Just hours before the US federal court documents related to Mr Rodriguez's alleged crimes were unsealed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday blasted European leaders for being on “the wrong side of justice” after the killings.
He said French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian leader Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were on the wrong side of humanity and history in voicing support for a Palestinian state. The suspected gunman shouted “Free, free Palestine” after killing the two embassy workers.
“Now, these leaders may think that they're advancing peace. They’re not. They’re emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever,” he said. “And they give them hope to establish a second Palestinian state from which Hamas will again seek to destroy the Jewish state.”
The shooting drew bipartisan condemnation in Washington. US President Donald Trump said "hatred and radicalism have no place" in the US". One Republican politician later said on Fox News that Gaza should be "nuked", as "the Palestinian cause is an evil one".
The FBI's deputy director, Dan Bongino, described the suspected gunman in the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington as “spineless” and “gutless”.
Mr Bongino said the murders, which took place outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in the US capital, were rooted in anti-Semitism.
“Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of your FBI,” he posted on X.
Israel's Foreign Ministry identified the victims of Wednesday night's attack as Yaron Lischinsky, 28, who worked in the embassy’s political department, and his partner Sara Lynn Milgrim of the public diplomacy department.
As law enforcement apprehended Mr Rodriguez, 30, he repeatedly shouted “free Palestine”.
Washington police chief Pamela Smith told reporters that before the shooting, the suspect was seen pacing back and forth outside the museum.
“He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire,” Ms Smith said.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting an act of “terrorism” and “anti-Semitism”.
“We will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city,” Ms Bowser said during a news conference late on Wednesday night.
According to Mr Bongino, the FBI is in the process of interviewing Mr Rodriguez.
“Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence … the Washington Field Office is reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions.”
According to NBC's Chicago affiliate, early on Thursday several FBI agents were seen entering an address in Chicago linked to Mr Rodriguez.
The murders and attack have prompted widespread denunciation from governments, civic action groups and non-government organisations around the world.
“Our hearts are with our longtime partners at the American Jewish Committee, and we stand with our friends in Jewish communities in the US, the UAE and around the world,” read a statement from Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US.
"This horrific murder, outside an event promoting interfaith co-operation and humanitarian diplomacy, was a heinous act of anti-Semitism that has no place in the US or anywhere in the world. It must be unequivocally condemned as such."
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated his “consistent condemnation of attacks against diplomatic officials”.
“The Secretary General calls for the perpetrator to be brought to justice and extends his sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the government of Israel,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
The Anti-Defamation League said the attack came amid a climate of “relentless anti-Semitism”.
“When anti-Semitic rhetoric is normalised, tolerated, or even amplified in our public discourse, it creates an environment where violence against Jews becomes more likely,” the ADL's national director and chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement.
Jewish Voice for Peace also spoke out against the attack.
“We are grounded first and foremost in the belief that all human life is precious, which is precisely why we are struggling for a world in which all people can live in safety and dignity,” the group posted on X.
Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the US, said that Mr Trump spoke with Mr Netanyahu about the attack.
“Anti-Semitism isn’t new, but it has taken on a new form,” he said during a news conference near the location where the attack took place.
“The person who shot these two young people shouted 'free Palestine', and this is meant to eradicate Israel.”
Emgage, a prominent Muslim-American advocacy group, addressed the suspect's actions and alleged motives.
"Indiscriminate violence only deepens the suffering of the Palestinian people, and compounds the injustice they already endure,” the statement read.
“We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. The suspect in custody allegedly said ‘Free Palestine’ after committing this crime. Let us be clear, this was not resistance, this person’s actions do not speak for the countless individuals – including many of us – who fight every day for Palestinian lives, freedom and dignity.
The murders are the latest in attacks on Jewish Americans and organisations.
Several weeks ago, the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was firebombed by a man who mentioned the plight of the Palestinian people as a motivation for the attack.
As the investigation into Mr Rodriguez's motives continues, condolences have poured in for the victims.
“Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives,” read a statement in part from the Israeli embassy.
“Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Lischinsky was a research assistant for Middle East and North African affairs in the embassy’s political department. He was originally from Germany but moved to Israel at age 16.
“I'm an ardent believer in the vision that was outlined in the Abraham Accords and believe that expanding the circle of peace with our Arab neighbours,” his biography on the professional social media platform reads.
Mr Leiter said that the victims had planned to become engaged next week in Jerusalem.
“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural centre,” he said. “The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend.”
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People attend a candlelight vigil at Lafayette Square across from the White House in Washington, DC on May 22, 2025, following a shooting that left two people dead. Elias Rodriguez faces murder and other charges after allegedly gunning down two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. The staffers, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim by the Israeli foreign ministry, were shot dead late May 21, by a gunman who shouted "free Palestine," authorities said, with US officials and Israeli diplomats expressing shock and outrage over the killings. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) -
Mourners gather outside the White House to light candles to honour Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were killed near a Jewish museum in Washington. AP -
A screengrab from a video shows suspected gunman Elias Rodriguez, who shouted ‘free Palestine’ as he was arrested. He is alleged to have ties to a left-wing group. -
The scene of the attack is cleaned, after the embassy staff were shot dead near the Capital Jewish Museum. Reuters -
Emergency workers at the scene of the shooting, which took place late on Wednesday. Reuters -
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the US, at the site. Reuters -
The two victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when a gunman approached a group of four people and opened fire, police said. Reuters -
The shooting occurred at about 9pm, near Georgetown University’s Law School and the FBI’s Washington field office. Reuters -
Police took the suspect into custody at the scene. Reuters -
Israel's ambassador to the US said the victims were a young couple engaged to be married. AP
