A video shows the suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, being detained after allegedly shooting two staff members of the Israeli embassy. In the footage, he’s heard shouting “free, free Palestine” just moments after a good Samaritan tries to help him, unaware that he’s the shooter.
This incident occurred just after 9 PM outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., where the American Jewish Commission was hosting events.
Rodriguez appeared agitated with a security guard in a tactical vest from the Metropolitan police, while two civilians rushed towards the exit to assist in his capture.
The security guards managed to restrain Rodriguez without any resistance, securing his hands behind his back.
A voice off-camera can be heard asking if they have “the cuffs.” As he is being escorted out, he starts yelling “free, free Palestine.”
According to D.C. Metro Police Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez had been loitering outside the museum and displayed a handgun to a group of four before the shooting.
Inside the museum, Karisher, who was at an event for a young diplomat, recalled seeing gunfire and noticing that Rodriguez seemed distressed.
“We thought he needed help,” Karisher stated, alongside witness Yoni Karin, who also believed the situation required assistance.
Karin mentioned that people were gathering around him, offering water and comfort, completely unaware that he had just committed a shooting.
It wasn’t until they understood his role in the incident that the mood shifted. Karin reported that the suspect claimed he acted out of revenge for Gaza, asserting he was “unarmed.”
He allegedly stated, “I did this for Gaza. Free Palestine. The only solution is the Intifada Revolution,” while continuing to shout slogans.
Karin expressed shock at the attack, particularly targeting a gathering aimed at humanitarian support.
“Can we actually help both the Gazans and Israelis? How can we unite Muslims, Jews, and Christians for the innocent?” she questioned, reflecting on the tragedy of the event.
The victims were confirmed to be Jaron Lisinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, members of the embassy staff, both killed just before their planned engagement in Jerusalem.
LinkedIn profiles indicated that Lisinsky had been a research assistant in the embassy’s political section since September 2022, while Milgrim had worked in public diplomacy since November 2023 after her studies at the University of Kansas and the American University.
President Trump condemned the shooting, calling it an act of hatred and extremism, stating that such violence must come to an end.
Attorney General Pam Bondy indicated that legal proceedings would be forthcoming, with former judge Janine Piro involved in the case.
