Was the Killing of Two Israeli Embassy Employees an Act of Terror?

Washington, May 23 (NationPress) The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director in Charge, Steven J. Jensen, addressed the heartbreaking incident involving the murder of two employees from the Israeli Embassy outside the Jewish National Museum in Washington, labeling it as an act of terror and a targeted assault against the Jewish community.

During a press briefing, Jensen emphasized that the FBI is fully committed to this case and will exhaust all resources to thoroughly investigate the incident.

“Our teams, alongside FBI offices nationwide, are following leads and reaching out to the suspect's relatives, coworkers, and associates. We are also executing search warrants for electronic devices and scrutinizing social media profiles,” Jensen stated.

The incident unfolded outside an event organized by the American Jewish Committee for Young Diplomats at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.

The police identified the shooter as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago. Metropolitan Police Chief, Pamela Smith, noted that the suspect shouted, 'Free, free Palestine!' during his arrest.

The victims, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her partner Yaron Lischinsky, were both affiliated with the Israeli embassy in Washington.

As per a statement from the US Department of Justice, Rodriguez faces both federal and local murder charges linked to the tragic deaths of the two embassy employees on May 21.

He has been charged in the US District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, carrying out a deadly act with a firearm, and firing a weapon during a violent crime.

The charges were revealed by US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI's Jensen, and Metropolitan Police Chief Smith.

“This was a deliberate attack rooted in anti-Semitic violence. The FBI is dedicated to pursuing every lead and utilizing all means to investigate this horrific act,” Jensen asserted.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the incident as savage anti-Semitic violence that is intolerable in the US or anywhere on the planet, affirming, “We will diligently seek the facts to ensure the harshest punishment for the individual responsible for this atrocious act, which robbed two bright young individuals of their promising future.”

According to the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint, Rodriguez allegedly fired upon the victims as they exited the event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, which convened Jewish professionals and diplomatic community members. Both victims were employees of the Israeli Embassy, with one being an Israeli citizen and an official guest of the US government.

“Surveillance footage indicated Rodriguez walked past the victims before turning to discharge multiple rounds. After the victims collapsed, he reportedly continued firing at close proximity, even as one attempted to crawl away. Investigators collected a 9mm handgun and 21 spent shell casings from the scene,” the statement further explained.

It was confirmed that Rodriguez entered the Museum after the incident; witnesses and surveillance footage corroborated his involvement. He had traveled from Chicago to Washington the day before, declaring the firearm in his checked luggage.

“This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office alongside the Metropolitan Police Department, and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with support from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice,” the statement concluded.