By: Fern Sidman

In a dramatic escalation following the shocking murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., armed FBI agents clad in tactical gear stormed a Chicago apartment building Wednesday morning reportedly connected to suspected terrorist Elias Rodriguez, The New York Post has confirmed.

The raid, which took place in Chicago’s East Albany Park neighborhood, unfolded on a quiet, tree-lined street and was captured on video by NBC Chicago. At least eight FBI agents wearing camouflage gear and carrying rifles were seen entering the front gates of a red-brick apartment building, as stunned neighbors looked on.

The high-profile operation came less than 24 hours after Rodriguez allegedly gunned down two Israeli diplomats—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim—outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, following a diplomatic reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee.

According to The New York Post report, Rodriguez, 31, shouted “Free, free Palestine!” moments before confessing to police that he had murdered the couple, whose lives were devoted to peacebuilding, diplomacy, and international engagement.

Authorities are investigating whether Rodriguez’s actions constitute a politically motivated terror attack, especially in light of a 900-word manifesto, dated just one day before the slayings, which began circulating on social media after his arrest. The document, bearing Rodriguez’s name, appears to portray the murders as an act of retaliation against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, referencing the ongoing war against Hamas.

Sources close to the investigation told The New York Post that the manifesto is now a key piece of evidence, potentially offering insight into Rodriguez’s ideology, motivations, and connections.

“This appears to be more than just a hate crime—it has the markings of a calculated, politically charged act of terrorism,” one law enforcement official told The New York Post on background. “We’re examining all possibilities, including foreign influence or domestic radicalization.”

The document reportedly references Israel’s war efforts in Gaza, calls the victims “Zionist occupiers,” and justifies the killings as a “symbolic act of resistance.” Federal investigators are working to verify the manifesto’s authenticity and trace its origins—whether it was penned solely by Rodriguez or reflects broader organizational affiliations.

As The New York Post reported, the victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both staffers at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Milgrim, an American-born dual national with advanced degrees in international relations and sustainable development, was widely respected for her commitment to peacebuilding initiatives in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Lischinsky was known for his dedication to strengthening U.S.-Israel ties.

“Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives,” the Israeli embassy said in a statement quoted by The New York Post. “The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder.”

Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community, with leaders around the world condemning the attack and calling for a coordinated international response to the rise in antisemitic and anti-Israel violence.

According to The New York Post, Wednesday’s FBI operation in East Albany Park was part of an effort to collect evidence, search for possible co-conspirators, and determine whether Rodriguez was acting alone or as part of a broader extremist network. No arrests were made at the scene, but agents were seen removing boxes of materials from the building.

“They went in fast, serious,” one resident told The New York Post. “We didn’t even know anything was going on until we saw the rifles.”

Federal officials declined to comment on the specifics of the raid but confirmed Rodriguez had resided in the building at various times over the past year. Investigators are reportedly analyzing digital devices and materials found in the apartment for signs of coordination or ideological indoctrination.

The murders come amid an alarming rise in antisemitic threats and politically motivated attacks in the U.S., following the October 7Hamas massacre in southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza.

According to The New York Post, Rodriguez’s alleged act is being described by some Jewish organizations as the domestic extension of the war on Israel. Ronn Torossian, chairman of Betar USA, described Washington, D.C. as “a pro-Hamas ticking time bomb,” warning of complacency in confronting radicalized domestic actors.

“There are many who will celebrate this attack on campuses nationwide,” Torossian said in a statement. “Sadly, as we mourn this loss, we remind Jews: Aliyah is the best solution. If staying in the diaspora, fight back.”

The Justice Department confirmed that Rodriguez is in custody and will face federal charges. Officials also indicated that charges may extend beyond murder, possibly including federal terrorism statutes.

The New York Post reported that President Trump has been briefed on the investigation and has demanded a full review of domestic security measures around Jewish and Israeli institutions, particularly in cities with heightened protest activity linked to Middle East conflicts.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, Trump called the murders “an act of terror” and vowed that “justice will be swift, full, and unforgiving.”

As federal agents pore over Rodriguez’s digital and personal history, and as more details of his motivations and affiliations emerge, the D.C. murders are quickly becoming a touchstone moment in the broader conversation about political extremism, terrorism, and antisemitism in the United States.

The New York Post report noted that security has already been heightened around Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centers nationwide, with Homeland Security issuing advisories for cities with large Jewish populations.