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The victims were gunned down as they were leaving an event that was being held at the Capital Jewish Museum.
In a post shared on X, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino called the shooting an “act of terror.”
“Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of your FBI. Targeted acts of anti-Semitic violence are typically carried out by spineless, gutless cowards. And the penalties will be harsh as we tighten up this investigation and run down any additional leads. I should have additional updates for you shortly as I head back to FBI HQ,” Bongino said.
State officials react
Some state officials in Illinois have issued statements following the deadly shooting.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’s 8th congressional district, called the shooting a “horrific act of violence” in a statement shared late Wednesday night.
“My office is closely monitoring the tragic shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. As we await further details, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this horrific act of violence,”
Rep. Brad Schneider who represents Illinois’s 10th congressional district, also referred to the shooting as an apparent act of “anti-semitic violence.”
“It’s horrifying to see what appears to be anti-semitic violence right here in the nation’s capital. While authorities complete a full investigation, we must come together and say ‘Am Yisrael Chai,'” Schneider said in an X post.
“This is absolutely devastating. I’m keeping the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community in my prayers. No one should live in fear. We must stand united against hate—always,” Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who represents Illinois’s 13th congressional district said.
Congressman Eric Sorensen, who represents Illinois’s 17th congressional district, issued a video statement addressing the shooting, calling it an “apparent act of terrorism”
“My thoughts and my prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as those who were in attendance and the Irasalie embarassdor. But I also want to acknowledge a rising tide of antisemitism in our country. Hate is not an American value,” Sorensen said.
Who were the victims?
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
According to the Associated Press, Lischinsky was a research assistant, and Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel.
“Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives,” an official from the Israeli embassy said in a post shared on X early Thursday morning.
The statement went on to describe the shooter as a “terrorist.”
“The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss,” the post read in part.
Yechiel Leiter, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., told the Associated Press that Lischinsky had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose to Milgrim in Jerusalem next week.
Who is the suspect?
Authorities identified the suspect arrested in connection with the shooting as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago resident.
At a news conference held early Thursday morning, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the victims were among a group of four people who were approached by the suspect before he allegedly opened fire.
Additionally, Rodriguez had allegedly been spotted pacing outside the museum prior to the shooting. He was then detained by event security after he walked into the museum after the shooting.
At the time he was taken into custody, Rodriguez allegedly began chanting “Free, free Palestine,” Smith said.
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