US Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staff in Washington, DC
Federal prosecutors have filed multiple charges, including first-degree murder and the killing of foreign officials, against a man accused of fatally shooting two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, as per Al Jazeera.
Elias Rodriguez, a resident of Chicago, was arraigned in federal court on Thursday in connection with the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli national, and Sarah Milgrim, an American citizen. Both were gunned down Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum following an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee.
Rodriguez faces charges of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Authorities say more charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
“This is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and by this office,” said interim US Attorney Jeanine Pirro at a press conference. “We’re continuing to investigate this as a hate crime and a crime of terrorism.”
Pirro also confirmed that the victims — described by colleagues as a young couple preparing to become engaged — were leaving a pro-Israel event when they were shot. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine! Free Palestine!” after the shooting. According to a federal affidavit, he later told investigators: “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.”
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said Rodriguez was arrested shortly after the incident and identified himself to law enforcement without resistance.
The attack occurred amid heightened global tensions over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and drawn accusations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing from international observers.
In response to the shooting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the violence and vowed full prosecution.
“Hatred has no place in the United States of America under President Donald Trump,” she said, drawing a parallel between the incident and recent antiwar campus protests, which she characterized as “anti-Semitic illegal behavior” — a claim widely disputed by protest leaders.
Israeli officials condemned the shooting as an act of terror against its diplomatic presence. Meanwhile, a Republican lawmaker escalated tensions further, likening the Israeli response in Gaza to the nuclear bombings of Japan during World War II, stating,
