Southern Illinois News

Mike Bost, the representative for Illinois' 12th Congressional District, expressed his condolences following the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum. "He and his wife are praying for the family and friends" of the victims.

"Last night, a deranged assassin shouting “Free Palestine” gunned down two Israeli diplomats – Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim – a young couple set to be engaged, as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington," said Bost, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "We send our prayers to the families and friends impacted by the loss of these two wonderful lives. leaving. My wife, Tracy, is particularly shaken up by the loss of these two wonderful young people because she got to know Sarah during a visit to the Israeli Embassy just a couple short weeks ago. We send our heartfelt prayers to the family and friends of the victims, as we solidify our commitment to stamping out antisemitism at every turn."

According to a Fox News report linked in Bost’s Facebook post, Lischinsky and Milgrim were shot after attending an event at the museum for young Jewish professionals in foreign policy. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, was reportedly seen pacing outside before approaching a group, drawing a handgun, and shooting the two individuals. Afterward, he entered the museum where security personnel detained him. While in custody, Rodriguez allegedly shouted "Free Palestine."

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's May 22 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

Reuters reported that Rodriguez had previous associations with far-left groups in Chicago. He was involved with the Party for Socialism and Liberation until 2017 and had alleged involvement with Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) in 2018. 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.

Bost has been serving as Illinois’ 12th District representative since January 6, 2015. His career includes two decades in the Illinois State House of Representatives where he held the position of House Republican Caucus Chair. A lifelong resident of Murphysboro and former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982, Bost also worked at Bost Trucking Service before joining the Murphysboro Fire Department after completing training at the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.