by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Law enforcement agencies across the United States are ramping up security at synagogues, schools, and Israeli consulates following the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. Authorities are calling the incident an antisemitic terrorist attack.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and his partner Sarah Milgrim, were attending a diplomatic event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the museum when they were shot and killed by a lone gunman. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during and after the attack. He was arrested without incident after entering the museum.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith announced increased patrols around religious institutions and schools over the Memorial Day weekend. “You will see an increased presence around our schools and places like the DC Jewish Community Center,” Smith said. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community.”
In response, major cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami also stepped up security efforts, though no direct threats or connections to the D.C. shooting have been reported.
“While there is no known nexus to NYC, in response to last night’s horrific attack… the NYPD is increasing its presence at religious sites and cultural institutions,” the department said in a statement.
Similarly, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office declared immediate steps to enhance security, especially around synagogues, mosques, and Jewish schools. “This means increased patrols around places of worship and cultural institutions,” the department noted, urging residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling it the result of rising antisemitic incitement. “The blood libels against the Jewish state are rising in blood – and they must be fought to the bitter end,” he wrote on X. Netanyahu ordered heightened security for Israeli missions globally, emphasizing the need to protect envoys and diplomatic staff.
Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into Rodriguez’s background and potential affiliations. Authorities have not released further details regarding his motives beyond labeling the shooting as an antisemitic hate crime.
The tragic killing has cast a somber shadow over the nation’s capital as it enters Memorial Day weekend, with communities grieving and security agencies on high alert to prevent any further violence.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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