‘Words lead to violence’: Richmond Jewish community leaders react to deadly D.C. shooting
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Members of Richmond's Jewish community are leaning on one another in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, May 21, two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
According to D.C. officials, the victims are Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim -- a soon-to-be-engaged couple.
Israeli citizen Yaron Lischinsky, right, and U.S. citizen Sarah Milgrim, who were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in Washington. (Embassy of Israel in the U.S. via AP)
The accused gunman has been identified by law enforcement as Elias Rodriguez.
8News spoke with Daniel Staffenberg, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond's CEO, on Thursday, May 22. He shared his heartbreaking reaction to Wednesday's shooting, calling it horrible and tragic.
However, he said it's unfortunately not surprising amid the rise of antisemitism across the country.
MORE: Bonded by work and love, Israeli Embassy colleagues’ lives cut short by gunman
"We've been crying, screaming, asking, begging for help and recognition that antisemitism is at an all-time high and that words matter," Staffenberg said. "[Wednesday] evening ... we saw why we've been screaming so much. Words lead to violence."
The leader explained how the heart-wrenching incident has been met with sadness, frustration and a call for change in Central Virginia.
"It's a challenging time to be outwardly Jewish these days," Staffenberg said. "It feels like the friends we thought we had developed are standing at the side, leaving us, a little bit. At the same time, we're leaning into each other."
Flowers and candles are pictured as law enforcement work the scene after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
The local leader also called on elected officials and other religious leaders to stand with Jewish Richmonders as they continue to endure heightened levels of antisemitism.
The Anti-Defamation League reported 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2024. This number represents a 344% increase over the past five years.
Staffenberg said his community refuses to let the increase in hate shut them down.
"We're not going anywhere," Staffenberg said. "We're going to live more loudly and proudly as Jews. This is not going to stop that."
According to law enforcement, Rodriguez allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" during his arrest.
This comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza, with protests still erupting on the local and national scales against what's happening abroad.
However, Staffenberg — as well as political figures like U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) — reiterated that violent acts like Wednesday's shooting are never the answer.
Law enforcement work the scene after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
"In a time when tensions around the world are so high, we have to do all we can to show unity and also to show support for members of the Jewish community," Warner told the media in a virtual interview, after sharing his condolences to and sympathy for the victims' loved ones.
Staffenberg also addressed the way antisemitic words and actions have become alarmingly normalized. He explained the impact protests have had on Jewish members of the community.
"What they are doing is intimidating, harming and excluding Jews from spaces, period. End of story," Staffenberg said. "And when that happens, we know what happens next … last night, Poway, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Seattle ... Jews get killed."
The CEO also thanked officials and communities who have taken a stand against antisemitism.
"[We are] particularly grateful for all those who have lent their support, stood by us and been there day in, day out -- with a particular call out to so many in the Black community, who have joined us and share in this fight to create a better and stronger, more unified commitment," Staffenberg said.
