Chilling moment Elias Rodriguez screams ‘Free Palestine’ after shooting Israeli diplomat couple dead
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A pro-Palestinian gunman suspected of shooting a young Jewish diplomatic couple dead was seen in chilling video manically screaming ‘Free Palestine’ as he was hauled into custody.
Chilling footage emerged overnight of 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez as he was taken into custody after two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C.
Israeli embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim were identified as the victims in the vile attack that was condemned by President Donald Trump.
The couple, who were set to get engaged next week, had attended a Young Diplomats event before they were gunned down.
In one image, Rodriguez is seen sitting calmly at a bench with one leg crossed over the other, while separate footage captures the moment he is hysterically hauled away while shouting.
‘Free, free Palestine,’ he shouts repeatedly as he squirms against the officers’ grip.
The haunting pictures and images surfaced as witnesses described seeing Rodriguez ‘pacing back and forth’ outside the museum.
He then approached a group of people that included Lischinsky and Milgrim and then shot them at ‘close range’, the Israeli Embassy said.
Yoni Kalin told Fox 5 News how Rodriguez was allowed inside the museum in the immediate aftermath of the shooting by well-meaning security guards who assumed he was a victim.
‘He was clearly in trauma, he was in shock. Some of the people at the event sat him down, brought him water, asked if he was okay, and he was like ”call the cops”.’
Ten minutes later when authorities arrived, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to carrying out the shooting.
‘He grabbed a red kaffiyeh out of his pocket and started ”Free Palestine” chant, ‘there’s only one solution, Intifada revolution,’ Kalin said. ‘Thank God he left the gun in the bushes outside.’
In one image, Rodriguez sits calmly at a bench with one leg crossed over the other
Footage captures the moment he is hysterically hauled away from the scene. ‘Free, free Palestine,’ he shouts repeatedly as he squirms against the officers’ grip
Israeli embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim were named as the tragic victims of the vile attack early on Thursday morning, which was condemned by President Donald Trump
Kalin, still in shock himself and unsure of what had happened, noticed that the red kaffiyeh had fallen onto the ground and tried to offer it to Rodriguez as he was hauled away, the video revealed.
In the footage of Rodriguez being taken into custody, a plastic cup of water is visible on the bench.
Details emerged of the suspect’s background and political affiliations overnight on Thursday, including his reported membership of a far-left group.
He’s believed to have been involved in activism with the Part for Socialisma and Liberation and Black Lives Matter.
In 2017, he participated in a protest outside the residence of then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel against the city’s bid to host an Amazon headquarters.
The demonstration was on the anniversary of Laquan McDonald’s slaying by cops in the city.
Rodriguez argued that Chicago’s effort to bring in the retail giant and the shooting represented systematic and racial inequality.
Lischinsky was a German-Israeli dual national employed as a research assistant for Middle East & North African Affairs at the Embassy’s Political Department, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter revealed Lischinsky had purchased an engagement ring earlier this week ‘with the intention of proposing next week in Jerusalem.’
The other victim in Wednesday night’s senseless attack was his soon-to-be fiancée.
Milgrim worked in the public diplomacy department at the embassy. She earned a master’s degree in international studies from American University.
The vile shooting late Wednesday night has been widely condemned around the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that ‘wild incitement against the State of Israel’ was to blame for the horror attack and that it was the ‘terrible price of anti-Semitism.’
Netanyahu has also announced increased security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide in order to protect state representatives.
The American Jewish Committee was hosting a Young Diplomats event at the museum on Wednesday night, CEO Ted Deutch confirmed
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon described the shooting as a ‘depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.’
He said: ‘The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism.’
‘Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.’
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon described it as a ‘depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.’
He said: ‘The shooting outside the event at the Jewish Museum in Washington – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a criminal act of anti-Semitic terrorism.’
‘Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.’
Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a statement in the early hours of Thursday, writing: ‘I am devastated by the scenes in Washington DC.
‘This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.
It is understood the shooter shouted ‘Free Palestine ‘ during the vicious attack, which is now being investigated by the FBI ‘s Joint Terrorism Task Force
‘Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered and our immediate prayers are with the injured. I send my full support to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff.
‘We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US. America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.’
The duo who were fatally shot were an Israeli couple who were due to be engaged next week, Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said.
‘The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing next week in Jerusalem.’
Yaron Lischinsky was publicly named early on Thursday morning as the first victim, while his girlfriend has not yet been identified.
Lischinsky was a German-Israeli dual national employed as a research assistant for Middle East & North African Affairs at the Embassy’s Political Department, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The American Jewish Committee was hosting a Young Diplomats event at the museum on Wednesday night when the terror unfolded, CEO Ted Deutch confirmed.
Emotional photos show an onlooker draped in a Jewish flag as police cordoned off the area surrounding the shooting.
President Trump issued a statement late Wednesday night condemning ‘hatred and radicalism’ which led to the vicious attack.
He said: ‘These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter arrive at the scene of the tragedy on Wednesday night
‘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!’
Trump has been trying to stamp out anti-Semitism within the United States since returning to the White House, cracking down on pro-Palestine protests at university campuses across the nation and vowing to deport non-Americans inciting violence against Jewish people.
UN ambassador Danon said he was ‘confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.
‘Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.’
Wednesday’s sold-out event was touted as a night ‘bringing together Jewish young professionals (22-45) and the D.C. diplomatic community.’
Lischinsky was a German-Israeli dual national employed as a research assistant for Middle East & North African Affairs at the Embassy’s Political Department. Pictured with Israeli President Isaac Herzog
The American Jewish Committee was hosting a Young Diplomats event at the museum (pictured) on Wednesday night
The victims, a man and a woman, have ties to the Israeli embassy and were in the area taking part in an event at the museum
The evening was ‘dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage’, featuring ‘appetizers, cocktails, conversations, and a special guest speaker.’
It was scheduled to take place 6.30pm and 9pm, and the shooting occured about 9.15pm.
‘We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,’ Deutch said.
‘At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.’
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Embassy, said the duo was shot ‘at close range’ as they celebrated the evening.
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed on Wednesday night his department had been briefed on the situation and would investigate, as department heads within the Trump administration came out in force to condemn the violence.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she had arrived in DC alongside attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, and was later pictured alongside Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter examining the crime scene.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon confirmed the incident on Wednesday night, branding it ‘anti-Semitic terrorism’
At least two people are dead after a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC in what is being described as a ‘depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she had arrived on the scene alongside DC attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the deaths as ‘senseless’ in a statement Wednesday night.
‘Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC,’ she wrote.
‘We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.’
Senator Chuck Schumer also weighed in, writing: ‘I’m closely monitoring the shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum tonight in DC.
‘This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society. I’m praying for those who were killed, all those affected, and their families.’
Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh said: ‘An assassin screamed ‘Free Palestine!’ outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, and murdered an Israeli diplomat and her companion.
‘This was an act of terror and antisemitism, and the perpetrator(s) must be brought to justice.’
The FBI ‘s Joint Terrorism Task Force swiftly responded to the scene and is reportedly investigating
Police are urging locals to avoid the area as they investigate the incident.
Initial reports suggested one of the victims died at the scene while another was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Later updates confirmed both victims had tragically died
Less than 24 hours ago, the Capital Jewish Museum was awarded a security grant amid ongoing concerns about the safety of guests and staff.
‘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 said.
‘So, we invest a lot of money in security to make sure that we can keep our doors open to the broad public, that this is a welcoming space, but that people are also safe in this space.’
The museum recently launched a new exhibit which they feared would amplify the risks of an attack – LGBT Jews in the Federal City – to coincide with World Pride.
‘We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well,’ Gurwitz said. ‘And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories.’
