Quincy Reporter

Mary Miller, the representative for Illinois' 15th Congressional District, has called for the prosecution of the suspect involved in the fatal shooting of Israeli embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. "The suspect in the fatal shooting of Israeli embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," she said.

"This is heartbreaking news," said Mary E. Miller, U.S. Representative of Illinois's 15th congressional district (R), according to Facebook. "My prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. The evil perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law! Antisemitism has no absolutely place in America."

The incident took place at 9:08 p.m. outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Emergency responders found Lischinsky and Milgrim unconscious and not breathing. According to reports, Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, was planning to propose to Milgrim, who hailed from Kansas and had been employed by the Israeli embassy since November 2023. The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old resident of Chicago, was observed pacing outside the museum before allegedly drawing a handgun and shooting both victims. He subsequently entered the museum where security detained him. CBS News reported that while in custody, Rodriguez shouted "Free Palestine." The Metro Police Department informed CBS that Rodriguez was not previously known to them and did not appear in initial crime database searches.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's May 22 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's Facebook page

According to Reuters, Rodriguez had prior involvement with a far-left group in Chicago known as the Party for Socialism and Liberation until 2017. He was also reportedly linked to Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) in Chicago in 2018. Born and raised in Chicago, Rodriguez faces charges including two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He appeared in court on May 22 and waived his right to a detention hearing; a preliminary hearing is set for June 18.

Miller currently serves in the U.S. Congress after succeeding John Shimkus in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University. Born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1959, Miller resides in Oakland with her family on their fourth-generation farm.