(NewsNation) — The two Israeli Embassy staff members who were fatally shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday were set to be engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, Israeli ambassador to the United States.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were leaving an event at the Capitol Jewish Museum — a mile from the Capitol Building — when police say Elias Rodriguez approached a group of four people and opened fire. Rodriguez yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, police said.
Rodriguez was observed by onlookers pacing outside the museum before the shooting. He walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event security.
“He ran inside and yelled something,” said witness John Elleson. “I couldn’t make it out, what he said. It was terrible.”
Lischinsky had purchased a ring this week with the intent to propose next week in Jerusalem, Leiter said.
The District of D.C. just last week awarded security grants to 11 nonprofits in the area, which included the Capitol Jewish Museum. The grants were given to boost security.