TOPEKA, KS — The State of Kansas is mourning the loss of Sarah Milgrim, a native Kansan and staff member of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., who was tragically shot and killed alongside her partner, Yaron Lischinsky, outside the Capital Jewish Museum on the evening of May 21, 2025.
Milgrim, who served in the embassy’s public diplomacy department, was remembered for her commitment to building bridges between cultures and her passionate work organizing U.S. delegations to Israel. Her partner, Lischinsky, a German-Israeli citizen and political department researcher at the embassy, shared that same devotion to fostering understanding in a time of increasing global tensions.
The two had just attended a “Young Diplomats Reception” hosted by the American Jewish Committee—a symbol of their bright futures and their deep commitment to diplomacy—when they were shot. Authorities have arrested 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, who allegedly shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during the incident. Federal officials are investigating the killings as a targeted act of violence.
Governor Laura Kelly released a heartfelt statement this morning, honoring Milgrim and condemning the violence:
“I join in mourning the loss of Kansan Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky… Antisemitic violence is not theoretical, and it is happening now. Those responsible for this vicious crime must be brought to justice. In my role as Governor, I will continue to call out antisemitism and be active in pushing back against it. As Kansans, we value peace over violence, dialogue over destruction, and dignity for all people, regardless of faith or background.”
Sarah Milgrim’s Kansas roots made this tragedy particularly poignant for residents across the state. Friends and family described her as driven, compassionate, and deeply committed to creating a more just world. Her death, alongside Lischinsky, has struck a deep nerve at home and abroad.
As investigations continue, the Kansas community stands united in grief—and in its commitment to peace, understanding, and the fight against hatred in all its forms.
