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Couple shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington DC Couple shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington DC
(about 1 hour later)
Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were a couple, who both worked for the Israeli EmbassySarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were a couple, who both worked for the Israeli Embassy
A couple described as being in the "prime of their lives" have been shot dead in Washington DC outside a Jewish museum, by a man who police say shouted "free, free Palestine" after the attack. A young couple have been shot dead as they were leaving a Jewish event in Washington DC on Wednesday night.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, who both worked for the Israeli Embassy, were gunned down outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were described as being in the "prime of their lives" by the Israeli embassy, where they both worked. Mr Lischinsky was reportedly about to propose to Miss Milgrim.
Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, who police allege is the shooter, is in custody. The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, was filmed shouting "free, free Palestine" while being detained. He is now in custody.
The FBI says it is looking into "ties to potential terrorism or motivation based on bias-based crime or a hate crime". Israel's foreign minister said the attack was a direct result of "toxic antisemetic incitement" since the 7 October 2023 attack that prompted Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The FBI is investigating whether the shooting is linked to terrorism or a hate crime.
President Donald Trump has condemned the attack and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "outraged by the horrifying antisemitic murder" of the victims.
Follow live coverage of the DC shootingFollow live coverage of the DC shooting
The couple were leaving a networking event, organised by the American Jewish Committee, at the museum around 21:08 (local time) when a man opened fire with a handgun at a group of four people. The couple were leaving a networking event at the museum, organised by the American Jewish Committee, at about 21:08 (local time) when a man opened fire with a handgun at a group of four people.
The suspect then went inside the museum, where he was detained. Police said he chanted "free, free Palestine" while in custody. The suspect then went inside the museum. Witnesses said that they initially thought the man was distressed and gave him water.
"We heard gunshots and then a guy came in looking really distressed. We thought he needed help," eyewitness Katie Kalisher told the BBC, referring to the suspect. "We heard gunshots and then a guy came in... we thought he needed help," eyewitness Katie Kalisher told the BBC, referring to the suspect before they realised he was the alleged shooter.
Footage then captures the suspect shouting "free, free Palestine" while being detained by police.
Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith said officers "have not had any prior interactions" and did not see anything in his background "that would have placed him on our radar".Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith said officers "have not had any prior interactions" and did not see anything in his background "that would have placed him on our radar".
Mr Lischinsky had been planning to propose to his girlfriend, Miss Milgrim, next week, said the Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, who was not at the event. The Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, told reporters that Mr Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring and was planning to propose to Miss Milgrim next week in Jerusalem.
"They were a beautiful couple," he told a press conference. "They were a beautiful couple."
The shooting happened in a downtown area of Washington DC that has numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildingsThe shooting happened in a downtown area of Washington DC that has numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings
Both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have condemned the attack.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."
Netanyahu said security at Israeli embassies around the world would be stepped up following the attack. While Netanyahu promised increased security at Israeli embassies around the world following the attack.
"My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were cut short by a heinous antisemitic murderer," he said."My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were cut short by a heinous antisemitic murderer," he said.
"We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the state of Israel.""We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the state of Israel."
The sentiment was echoed by his Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar who accused European countries of "incitement".
"This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations, especially from Europe."
His comments follow pressure this week from the UK, EU and France over Israel's military action and control over humanitarian aid in Gaza, where experts have warned of a looming famine.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter visited the site of the shooting
The shooting, which happened in a downtown area of the city that has numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, triggered a major police response and shut down several main streets.The shooting, which happened in a downtown area of the city that has numerous tourist sites, museums and government buildings, triggered a major police response and shut down several main streets.
Israeli embassy spokesman Tal Naim Cohen confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range".
The embassy had "full faith" that authorities would "protect Israel's representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States", he said.
JoJo Kalin, a board member of the American Jewish Committee who helped organise the event, said she did not witness the shooting but felt a "sense of guilt" about what happened.JoJo Kalin, a board member of the American Jewish Committee who helped organise the event, said she did not witness the shooting but felt a "sense of guilt" about what happened.
"I'm not going to lose my humanity over this or be deterred. And that Israelis and Palestinians both still deserve self-determination and [it is] just deeply ironic that that's what we were discussing," she said."I'm not going to lose my humanity over this or be deterred. And that Israelis and Palestinians both still deserve self-determination and [it is] just deeply ironic that that's what we were discussing," she said.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter visited the site of the shooting
The event was billed as a networking opportunity to bring Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community together. Its description said humanitarian aid organisers responding to humanitarian crises in the Middle East, including Gaza, were invited.The event was billed as a networking opportunity to bring Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community together. Its description said humanitarian aid organisers responding to humanitarian crises in the Middle East, including Gaza, were invited.
The Capital Jewish Museum, like many other Jewish institutions in the US, has struggled with security issues amid rising antisemitism.The Capital Jewish Museum, like many other Jewish institutions in the US, has struggled with security issues amid rising antisemitism.
"Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism," executive director Beatrice Gurwitz told NBC News in a separate news report before the attack on Wednesday."Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism," executive director Beatrice Gurwitz told NBC News in a separate news report before the attack on Wednesday.
The museum recently received a grant to upgrade its security in part, she said, because of a new exhibit on LGBT pride.The museum recently received a grant to upgrade its security in part, she said, because of a new exhibit on LGBT pride.