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| What we know about Israeli embassy staff shooting in Washington DC | What we know about Israeli embassy staff shooting in Washington DC |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Watch: BBC at the scene of shooting outside Jewish museum | Watch: BBC at the scene of shooting outside Jewish museum |
| A young couple who worked for the Israeli Embassy have been shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. | A young couple who worked for the Israeli Embassy have been shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. |
| Police say the victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were killed by a man who shouted "free, free Palestine" while he was arrested. Elias Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree murder. | Police say the victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were killed by a man who shouted "free, free Palestine" while he was arrested. Elias Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree murder. |
| Here's what you need to know about the shooting. | Here's what you need to know about the shooting. |
| What happened? | What happened? |
| At 21:08 local time on Wednesday, police received calls about a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington DC. | At 21:08 local time on Wednesday, police received calls about a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington DC. |
| A man and a woman were found unconscious and not breathing at the scene, and later died. | A man and a woman were found unconscious and not breathing at the scene, and later died. |
| The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the couple had been leaving an event at the museum which is in an area with tourist sites, museums and government buildings. | The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the couple had been leaving an event at the museum which is in an area with tourist sites, museums and government buildings. |
| Police allege the shooting was committed by Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, who had bought a ticket to the event about three hours before it began. | |
| He had been seen pacing up and down outside the museum before using a handgun to open fire on a group of four people, the MPD said. | He had been seen pacing up and down outside the museum before using a handgun to open fire on a group of four people, the MPD said. |
| According to details in an affidavit, he initially opened fire on the victims, then reloaded and shot again "several more times" at closer range. | |
| It said that as one victim tried to crawl away, he followed behind and fired again. | |
| Investigators recovered 21 spent 9mm cartridges at the scene, and a handgun with its slide locked back, indicating it was empty, along with an empty magazine. | |
| The suspect then went inside the museum, where he was detained. He repeatedly shouted "free Palestine" while being arrested, police said. | The suspect then went inside the museum, where he was detained. He repeatedly shouted "free Palestine" while being arrested, police said. |
| Some in the museum had initially thought he was a distressed bystander when he burst in. | Some in the museum had initially thought he was a distressed bystander when he burst in. |
| One witness, Yoni Kalin, said people inside had been "calming him down, giving him water, taking care of him". | One witness, Yoni Kalin, said people inside had been "calming him down, giving him water, taking care of him". |
| "Little did we know he was somebody that executed people in cold blood," he said. | "Little did we know he was somebody that executed people in cold blood," he said. |
| The MPD and the FBI are investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and a hate crime. | The MPD and the FBI are investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and a hate crime. |
| What do we know about the victims? | What do we know about the victims? |
| Yaron Lischinsky had planned to propose to his girlfriend Sarah Lynn Milgrim | Yaron Lischinsky had planned to propose to his girlfriend Sarah Lynn Milgrim |
| Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, had both worked at the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. | Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, had both worked at the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. |
| Mr Lischinsky had planned to propose to Miss Milgrim in Jerusalem next week, Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said on Thursday. | Mr Lischinsky had planned to propose to Miss Milgrim in Jerusalem next week, Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said on Thursday. |
| Yaron Lischinsky, a joint German-Israeli national, had worked as a research assistant at the embassy, according to his LinkedIn profile. | Yaron Lischinsky, a joint German-Israeli national, had worked as a research assistant at the embassy, according to his LinkedIn profile. |
| Born in Germany, he had moved to Israel as a teenager before relocating to Washington, his friend Ronen Shoval said. | Born in Germany, he had moved to Israel as a teenager before relocating to Washington, his friend Ronen Shoval said. |
| He was a "devout Christian" with "good character", Mr Shoval told the BBC. | He was a "devout Christian" with "good character", Mr Shoval told the BBC. |
| He had also previously served in the Israeli military, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said. | He had also previously served in the Israeli military, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said. |
| Sarah Lynn Milgrim, an American from Kansas, worked for the Israeli embassy's public diplomacy department, according to her LinkedIn page. | Sarah Lynn Milgrim, an American from Kansas, worked for the Israeli embassy's public diplomacy department, according to her LinkedIn page. |
| Her father, Robert, told the BBC's US partner CBS News that his daughter "loved Israel" and "loved everybody that lived in the Middle East". | Her father, Robert, told the BBC's US partner CBS News that his daughter "loved Israel" and "loved everybody that lived in the Middle East". |
| "She had a lot of close Palestinian friends, as well as many Israeli friends," he said. | "She had a lot of close Palestinian friends, as well as many Israeli friends," he said. |
| KU Hillel, a Jewish student organisation at the University of Kansas, said Miss Milgrim was a "beloved alum" with a "bright spirit". | KU Hillel, a Jewish student organisation at the University of Kansas, said Miss Milgrim was a "beloved alum" with a "bright spirit". |
| The Israeli embassy said its staff were "heartbroken and devastated" by the deaths. | The Israeli embassy said its staff were "heartbroken and devastated" by the deaths. |
| Follow live: Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington DC | Follow live: Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington DC |
| Israeli museum victim 'was planning to propose' | Israeli museum victim 'was planning to propose' |
| What do we know about the suspect? | What do we know about the suspect? |
| Watch: Moment Jewish Museum shooting suspect is detained | Watch: Moment Jewish Museum shooting suspect is detained |
| Elias Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in relation to the shooting. | Elias Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in relation to the shooting. |
| He has also been charged with murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. | He has also been charged with murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. |
| According to an affidavit, the suspect flew from Chicago on Tuesday and declared a gun legally bought in Illinois in his checked luggage. | According to an affidavit, the suspect flew from Chicago on Tuesday and declared a gun legally bought in Illinois in his checked luggage. |
| In an interview with detectives, the affidavit said, he referenced a 2024 incident in which a man set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, expressing admiration for the act and calling the man a "martyr" for his protest over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. | |
| Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be brought against him as it develops. | Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be brought against him as it develops. |
| Interim DC attorney Jeanine Pirro said it was too early to say whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, but that this was a "death penalty eligible case". | Interim DC attorney Jeanine Pirro said it was too early to say whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, but that this was a "death penalty eligible case". |
| The suspect is being held in detention and will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on 18 June, Pirro added. | The suspect is being held in detention and will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on 18 June, Pirro added. |
| He is believed to have acted alone, said US Attorney General Pam Bondi. | He is believed to have acted alone, said US Attorney General Pam Bondi. |
| Earlier on Thursday, the FBI searched a Chicago property linked to the suspect. | Earlier on Thursday, the FBI searched a Chicago property linked to the suspect. |
| Outside the apartment, neighbour John Wayne Fry told reporters that he had lived in the same apartment building as the suspect for around a year. | Outside the apartment, neighbour John Wayne Fry told reporters that he had lived in the same apartment building as the suspect for around a year. |
| He said that the suspect displayed a photo outside his flat of a Palestinian-American child who was stabbed to death outside Chicago in 2023. | He said that the suspect displayed a photo outside his flat of a Palestinian-American child who was stabbed to death outside Chicago in 2023. |
| The killing caused international headlines. The man who killed six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi was convicted of hate crime charges earlier this month. Officials say he was motivated by hatred for Islam and the conflict in Gaza. | The killing caused international headlines. The man who killed six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi was convicted of hate crime charges earlier this month. Officials say he was motivated by hatred for Islam and the conflict in Gaza. |
| It is unclear whether the suspect has had any direct contact with the boy's family. | It is unclear whether the suspect has had any direct contact with the boy's family. |
| A sign in the window of the apartment linked to the suspect shows Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian-American boy who was murdered in 2023 | A sign in the window of the apartment linked to the suspect shows Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian-American boy who was murdered in 2023 |
| Fry said that he hadn't talked with the suspect about politics, but said "If I had, I would have talked him out of it." | Fry said that he hadn't talked with the suspect about politics, but said "If I had, I would have talked him out of it." |
| The suspect had been working at the American Osteopathic Information Association since 2024, according to online records examined by BBC Verify. | The suspect had been working at the American Osteopathic Information Association since 2024, according to online records examined by BBC Verify. |
| Social media accounts belonging to him indicate that he was heavily involved in the pro-Palestinian protest movement. | Social media accounts belonging to him indicate that he was heavily involved in the pro-Palestinian protest movement. |
| An online story indicated that he was associated with a fringe communist group, The Party for Socialism and Liberation, in 2017, and had been interviewed as a member of the group. | An online story indicated that he was associated with a fringe communist group, The Party for Socialism and Liberation, in 2017, and had been interviewed as a member of the group. |
| In a post on X, the party said they "have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it" and have had no contact with the suspect for seven years. | In a post on X, the party said they "have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it" and have had no contact with the suspect for seven years. |
| Police said they had no prior interactions with the suspect and had not seen anything in his background "that would have placed him on our radar". | Police said they had no prior interactions with the suspect and had not seen anything in his background "that would have placed him on our radar". |
| What was the event? | What was the event? |
| The event at the Capital Jewish Museum had been billed as a networking opportunity to bring Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community together. | The event at the Capital Jewish Museum had been billed as a networking opportunity to bring Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community together. |
| The organiser, American Jewish Committee, said it was open to those in the DC diplomatic community. The event's theme was advertised as "turning pain into purpose". | The organiser, American Jewish Committee, said it was open to those in the DC diplomatic community. The event's theme was advertised as "turning pain into purpose". |
| The event description said it invited humanitarian aid organisers responding to crises in the Middle East, including Gaza. | The event description said it invited humanitarian aid organisers responding to crises in the Middle East, including Gaza. |
| The location was only shared with those who signed up to attend. | The location was only shared with those who signed up to attend. |
| What did Donald Trump say? | What did Donald Trump say? |
| President Donald Trump has condemned the attack and called it antisemitic. | President Donald Trump has condemned the attack and called it antisemitic. |
| Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, now! | Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, now! |
| "Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. | "Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. |
| "So sad that such things as this can happen! God bless you all!" | "So sad that such things as this can happen! God bless you all!" |
| What did Israel say? | What did Israel say? |
| Netanyahu links DC shooting to the 7 Oct 2023 attacks on Israel | Netanyahu links DC shooting to the 7 Oct 2023 attacks on Israel |
| Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "outraged by the horrifying antisemitic murder" of the victims. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "outraged by the horrifying antisemitic murder" of the victims. |
| His office said he had spoken to both victims' parents. | His office said he had spoken to both victims' parents. |
| "My heart grieves for the families of the young beloveds, whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer," he said, adding he had directed Israeli embassies around the world to increase security. | "My heart grieves for the families of the young beloveds, whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer," he said, adding he had directed Israeli embassies around the world to increase security. |
| He and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also said the deaths were caused by "anti-Israeli incitement" which they said was being carried out by European leaders. | He and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also said the deaths were caused by "anti-Israeli incitement" which they said was being carried out by European leaders. |
| Earlier this week, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada signed a strongly worded joint letter condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. | Earlier this week, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada signed a strongly worded joint letter condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. |
| In a video address, Netanyahu linked Wednesday's killings in Washington to Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. | In a video address, Netanyahu linked Wednesday's killings in Washington to Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. |
| "As he was taken away, he chanted, 'Free Palestine!' This is exactly the same chant we heard on October 7th," Netanyahu said. | "As he was taken away, he chanted, 'Free Palestine!' This is exactly the same chant we heard on October 7th," Netanyahu said. |
| He accused Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney of "emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever" by calling for Israel to end its war in Gaza. | He accused Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney of "emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever" by calling for Israel to end its war in Gaza. |
| Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. | Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. |
| At least 53,475 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,340 since the Israeli offensive resumed, according to the territory's health ministry. | At least 53,475 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,340 since the Israeli offensive resumed, according to the territory's health ministry. |
| Additional reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC Verify | Additional reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC Verify |