DC Memorial: Israeli Embassy Staffer Remembered
- Family and friends gathered in Overland Park, Kan., Tuesday to remember Sarah Milgrim, 26, an Israeli Embassy staffer who died in a Washington, D.C., shooting last week.
- Elias Rodriguez, 31, was arrested in connection with the shooting.
- Milgrim, a Prairie Village, Kan.,native,graduated from the University of Kansas in 2021 with a degree in environmental studies.
The Kansas community is in mourning after the tragic death of Sarah Milgrim,a 26-year-old Israeli Embassy staffer,killed in a recent shooting in Washington,D.C. This devastating event, which also took the life of Yaron Lischinsky, has sparked an outpouring of grief and reflection. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, has been arrested and reportedly stated his actions were “for Palestine, for Gaza.” Milgrim, a graduate of the University of Kansas, was remembered for her warmth and commitment to building community; she had a passion for the environment. Before her embassy work, she earned a master’s degree and worked to promote dialog between young Israelis and Palestinians. This tragedy hits home in Kansas. News Directory 3 is following the story as it develops. Discover what’s next in this evolving situation.
Kansas Community Mourns Sarah Milgrim, Embassy Staffer Killed in D.C.
updated May 27, 2025
Family and friends gathered in Overland Park, Kan., Tuesday to remember Sarah Milgrim, 26, an Israeli Embassy staffer who died in a Washington, D.C., shooting last week. Milgrim and 30-year-old yaron Lischinsky were killed May 21 after leaving a reception at the Capital Jewish Museum.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, was arrested in connection with the shooting. Charging documents reveal Rodriguez shouted, “free Palestine” at the time of his arrest and later told police the act was “for Palestine, for Gaza.” The deadly incident has prompted grief and reflection in Milgrim’s Kansas community.
Milgrim, a Prairie Village, Kan.,native,graduated from the University of Kansas in 2021 with a degree in environmental studies. Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel remembered her warmth and dedication to building community at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. A vigil in her honor drew a large crowd,with friends recalling her passion for the environment and her ability to foster peace.
Before joining the embassy, Milgrim earned a master’s degree from American University in 2023 and worked with a Tel Aviv organization promoting dialog between young Israelis and Palestinians. Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, praised Milgrim’s work with diverse groups and her commitment to fostering understanding.
“She accomplished so much in her short life, and she deserves to be remembered for all the things she brought to this world,” Katz said.
What’s next
The inquiry into the shooting is ongoing. The community continues to grapple with the loss of sarah Milgrim and the rise of antisemitism, recalling a similar tragedy in 2014 when a white supremacist killed three people at Jewish sites in overland Park.