Crime
Who was Sarah Milgrim? Pro-Palestinian Terror Attack in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – The two victims fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and his partner Sarah Milgrim, both employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The couple, described as deeply committed to diplomacy and peacebuilding, were reportedly soon to be engaged.
The incident occurred during a diplomatic networking event — the “Young Diplomats Reception” — hosted by the American Jewish Committee.
According to authorities, the shooting is being investigated as a targeted act of antisemitic violence.
Yaron Lischinsky, who served in the political department of the Israeli Embassy, held a master’s degree in Government, Diplomacy & Strategy from Reichman University and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Hebrew University. Known for his passion for interfaith dialogue and regional cooperation, Lischinsky had written on his LinkedIn profile:
“I’m an ardent believer in the vision that was outlined in the Abraham Accords and believe that expanding the circle of peace with our Arab neighbors and pursuing regional cooperation is in the best interest of the State of Israel and the Middle East as a whole.”
Lischinsky was also well known in Israel’s Messianic Jewish community. His father is a member of a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem.
His partner, Sarah Milgrim, also served at the embassy within the Department of Public Diplomacy. She held a Master’s in International Affairs from American University and a Master’s in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace. Her background included peacebuilding research with Tech2Peace in Tel Aviv, environmental advocacy in India and Central America, and interfaith education. Sarah described herself as passionate about bridging cultural and religious divides through dialogue and sustainable development.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals outside the Capital Jewish Museum. According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez had been seen pacing outside the museum before approaching the group and firing a handgun, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim at close range.
After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum where he was quickly detained by security personnel. Authorities recovered the firearm following directions from the suspect. While in custody, Rodriguez chanted “Free, Free Palestine,” and authorities believe he may have been motivated by antisemitic ideology.
Video footage also captured Rodriguez wearing a red keffiyeh during the arrest. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is now leading the investigation, with support from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter revealed at a news conference that Lischinsky had recently purchased an engagement ring and planned to propose to Sarah during an upcoming visit to Jerusalem.
“This was a young couple full of life and hope, dedicated to peace, who were brutally gunned down in an act of hatred,” Ambassador Leiter said.
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, confirmed that both victims were shot “at close range” while attending the Jewish diplomatic event.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the attack, stating on social media:
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share.”
Former President Donald Trump described the shooting as an “obviously antisemitic” attack, writing:
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed his outrage:
“This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy. The U.S. and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values.”
Authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s background and potential connections to extremist groups.
Officials have stated the attack appears to be premeditated and ideologically motivated. No other suspects are being sought at this time.
The tragic deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim have sent shockwaves through diplomatic and Jewish communities in Washington, D.C., Israel, and beyond.
Their lives and work reflected a shared commitment to peace, diplomacy, and mutual understanding — ideals now underscored by the tragic circumstances of their deaths.
Crime
Mustapha Kharbouch Now-Deleted 2024 Manifesto Published in Institute for Palestine Studies Recovered
Brown University has removed multiple online references to student activist Mustapha Kharbouch in the days following a deadly campus shooting, a move that has drawn public attention amid heightened online speculation—despite law enforcement officials confirming that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified in the investigation.
Archived versions of Brown University webpages show that Kharbouch, a first-year student at the time, was previously listed in several university-affiliated roles, including as a student assistant and Cultural Programming Coordinator connected to the Global Brown Center.
His academic interests were described as focusing on International and Public Affairs and Anthropology, with involvement in Middle East–focused academic, cultural, and student programming.
Those pages are no longer accessible, and Kharbouch’s social media accounts have also been deactivated.
A verified buyer from the United States with the name “Mustapha K.” reviewed a 9MM muzzle brake through the Wing Tactical website on December 29th, 2024 — the same caliber used in the Brown shooting.
There are approximately a few hundred people in the entire United States with that first name + last initial combination.
University officials have not issued a public explanation for the removal of the online profiles.
The changes occurred as online speculation intensified in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, with social media users circulating screenshots of archived university pages and past writings associated with Kharbouch.
Among the materials resurfaced by online users was a 2024 essay authored by Kharbouch and published by the Institute for Palestine Studies as part of a special student essay series titled Genocide in Gaza: Student Essays — Brown University Encampment 2024.
The essay, titled “I Hear the Voice of My Ancestors Calling: From the Camps to the Campus,” was published on August 13, 2024, months before the shooting. The piece is a first-person reflective essay examining Palestinian identity, intergenerational memory, student activism, and questions of hope amid displacement, war, and protest.
The article includes poetic excerpts adapted from “Ancestors Song,” a chant popularized during student-led Palestine solidarity actions at Brown University, and documents Kharbouch’s participation in campus organizing efforts, including sit-ins, hunger strikes, rallies, and the Brown Gaza Solidarity Encampment.
The essay situates these experiences within a broader discussion of decolonial thought, feminist theory, and Palestinian history, including reflections on the 1948 Nakba and the author’s family history as a third-generation stateless Palestinian refugee raised in Lebanon.
The content of the essay is ideological, autobiographical, and academic in nature.
There is no reference to violence on campus, nor any indication of intent or planning related to criminal activity.
The Institute for Palestine Studies has not issued any statement suggesting the piece is under review or connected to the shooting.
Despite widespread online conjecture, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Providence Police, have not named Mustapha Kharbouch as a suspect or person of interest, and have publicly stated that there is no evidence linking him to the shooting.
Investigators have emphasized that the case remains active and that conclusions are being guided strictly by verified evidence.
Authorities have cautioned against drawing inferences from online speculation, warning that unsubstantiated claims can compromise investigations and cause undue harm to individuals not implicated by facts.
Media analysts and campus observers have suggested that Brown University’s decision to remove online references may have been taken as a protective or precautionary measure, particularly as misinformation and harassment proliferated across social media platforms following the attack.
Similar actions have been taken by institutions in other high-profile incidents to limit doxxing, targeted harassment, or the misinterpretation of publicly available biographical information during periods of heightened tension.
Brown University has not confirmed whether the removals were temporary, administrative, or safety-related in nature.
Authorities continue to urge the public to rely on confirmed information released by law enforcement and to avoid amplifying unverified narratives.
As of the most recent update, no arrests have been announced, no individuals have been publicly identified as suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with credible information related to the shooting has been asked to contact investigators directly.