U.S. federal prosecutors on Wednesday filed hate crime charges against Elias Rodriguez, 31, accusing him of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington earlier this year in what authorities are calling a targeted act of antisemitic violence.
The nine-count indictment alleges Rodriguez killed Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, on May 21 because of their Israeli nationality. Both victims were employees of the Israeli embassy and had just left a young professionals and diplomats event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were gunned down.
Rodriguez, who is from Chicago, is charged with hate crimes resulting in death, first-degree murder, and the murder of a foreign official. The indictment includes special findings that make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
According to court documents, Rodriguez was heard shouting “Free Palestine” after the shooting and told officers at the scene, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.” Surveillance footage reportedly shows him firing around 20 rounds at the victims, then pausing to reload before continuing to shoot, even after Milgrim attempted to crawl away.
The FBI affidavit also reveals that Rodriguez scheduled a social media post before the shooting that included violent rhetoric against Israelis and justification for targeting individuals perceived to support Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Rodriguez had flown from Chicago to Washington the day before the attack and was seen pacing outside the museum, just over a mile from the White House, before opening fire. After the shooting, he entered the museum, pulled out a red Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, and identified himself to authorities as the shooter.
The killings shocked the global Jewish community and drew widespread condemnation as a hate-fueled act of terror. Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, had previously said the incident would be investigated as a hate crime and could carry capital punishment.
Rodriguez has not yet entered a plea. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Written By Rodney Mbua
