Washington attacker identified Israeli diplomats before museum shooting

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter has revealed new details about the deadly attack outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., confirming that the perpetrator, Elias Rodriguez, had gathered prior intelligence on the victims, Yaron Lishinsky and Sarah Milgrom.

According to Leiter, the attacker identified the couple as Israeli embassy staff during a previous event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), where Rodriguez mingled with attendees and likely inquired about their identities. At some point during the gathering, he reportedly raised suspicions and was asked to leave.

Rodriguez later shot and killed Lishinsky and Milgrom outside the museum. Authorities believe the attack was premeditated and specifically targeted the two diplomats.

In a further development, it was disclosed that Rodriguez’s girlfriend had previously been detained after threatening and shouting at the Israeli consulate in Chicago. Law enforcement agencies are now investigating whether the couple had coordinated their actions as part of a broader anti-Israeli agenda.

The incident has intensified security protocols around Israeli diplomatic missions across the U.S., with officials calling for greater vigilance amid rising concerns over targeted threats.