* AP…
Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum, and the suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, police said. […]
The two people killed, identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, were a young couple about to be engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. […]
The gunman, identified by police as Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, then walked into the museum, was detained by event security and began chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” Smith said. FBI agents on Thursday morning conducted a search of a home believed to be connected to Rodriguez in the 4700 block of North Troy on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Chicago Field Office on Thursday confirmed its agents are supporting the FBI’s Washington Field Office and conducting related “court-authorized law enforcement activity in the Chicago-area“ in connection to the shooting.
* Sun-Times…
According to a LinkedIn page associated with Rodriguez, he worked an administrative job at the Chicago-based American Osteopathic Information Association. The group confirmed his employment there, saying in a statement that they are “shocked and saddened to learn that an AOIA employee has been arrested as a suspect in this horrific crime.”
Rodriguez was once a member of a local branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the group confirmed Thursday. The group said he has not been affiliated with the group since 2017, the group said.
“We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the D.C. shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL,” the Party for Socialism and Liberation wrote on social media.
“He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it,” the group wrote.
* Washington Post…
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post to X on Thursday that authorities are working to confirm whether “certain writings” are linked to Rodriguez, an apparent reference to the manifesto. The document, titled, “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,” accuses Israel of “genocide” and says “a perpetrator” may be a good person at times, “and yet be a monster all the same.” The message concludes, “Free Palestine — Elias Rodriguez.”
* Gov. JB Pritzker…
“I was horrified to hear of the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC last night. Shortly after the incident occurred, I learned that a member of my team was attending the event. While they are shaken up, they are thankfully safe. MK and I are praying for the victims and their families and all of those affected by this tragedy.
“Law enforcement has apprehended the suspected gunman, and although the investigation continues, make no mistake: this was an attack on the Jewish community.
“An evening of connecting and belonging hosted by the American Jewish Committee quickly turned into a nightmare. Young Jewish people and diplomats came together in a museum built to honor their shared history but then had to flee gun shots and witness the killing of a young couple. As a Jew who led the building of a museum dedicated to standing up against bigotry and hatred, I know how sacred these places are and what trauma this incident has caused.
“Whether it’s gun violence or the rising tide of antisemitism, Americans of all backgrounds have an urgent obligation to stand for peace and reject bigotry in all its forms and in every way possible.”
* Rep. Bob Morgan…
When extremists tell us they want to ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ we must believe them. This double murder is the direct result of dehumanizing language against Jews and the exponential rise in antisemitism in the far-left and far-right of our political system. The Jewish community has been sounding the alarm about fear for our safety, and too many have turned a blind eye. We will say prayers for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lishinsky as we mourn during Sabbath prayers Friday night, and I will say an extra prayer that elected officials from all backgrounds step up to combat antisemitism in all its forms.
…Adding… Press release…
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, State Senator Graciela Guzman, & Alderperson Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez released the following statement regarding misinformation circulating regarding the Capital Jewish Museum shooter.
“This morning, the New York Times published an image of campaign window signs that makes an insinuation that the Jewish Museum shooter was a supporter of the campaigns of several elected leaders on Chicago’s northwest side: specifically Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, State Senator Graciela Guzman, and Alderperson Rossana Rodriguez.
The image that was shared was not of the shooter’s residence but that of a neighbor, a senior citizen who is a known community organizer and volunteer to our campaigns. This person has no ties to the shooter beyond being their neighbor. Despite this, that image and misinformation around it have been circulated across media outlets that have made inquiries and various social media platforms.
At times of tragedy and senseless acts of violence, the media has a difficult responsibility of safeguarding the public from misinformation that could endanger the safety of community members and our elected leaders. The deadly attack and the details surrounding it are highly sensitive and should require the highest standards of fact-checking to ensure everyone’s safety. We ask that any media outlets that have printed or posted this image act expeditiously to correct and retract any misinformation.”
…Adding… The Tribune’s A.D. Quig…
…Adding… More
misinformation…
* Related…
* Neighbor describes alleged DC shooter as ‘normal, friendly guy’
