The 31-year-old man accused of the shooting reportedly claimed he killed the two victims “for Palestine.”
US authorities have stated that a man accused of murdering two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, DC, on Wednesday could face the death penalty.
Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum during a reception held by the American Jewish Committee on Wednesday. Israeli officials have condemned the attack as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
Jeanine Pirro, Interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced on Thursday that the suspect in the deaths of Milgrim and Lischinsky faces charges that include the murder of a foreign official.
Court documents indicate that Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen and an official guest of the US government.
Pirro stated that “it’s far too early to say” whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty. She added, “We’re going to continue to investigate this as an act of terrorism and as a hate crime. And as we do so, we will bring additional charges whenever those charges are warranted and provable. And I suspect as we go forward, before we get to the grand jury itself, that there will be more charges added.”
Pirro also stated that the case is “death penalty-eligible” and confirmed that the suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, has been informed he could face capital punishment.
The victims, who were planning to get engaged, were among over 100 people attending a “Young Diplomats Reception.” The couple was shot on a quiet street in downtown Washington after leaving the reception.
Charging documents detail the attack, including surveillance footage showing Milgrim attempting to crawl away after being shot. The suspect allegedly followed her and shot her again. After he paused to reload, Milgrim sat up, but he then reloaded and shot her once more.
An FBI affidavit released Thursday alleges the attack was planned, stating that Rodriguez flew from Chicago to Washington on Tuesday with a handgun in his checked luggage and bought a ticket for the event just three hours before it began.
Following the shooting, the suspect reportedly entered the museum and admitted responsibility, saying: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.” Federal authorities also said that he shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being taken into custody.
Israel is facing increased international criticism regarding its Gaza offensive and a prolonged aid blockade that has brought the region close to famine.
On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces initiated a major ground operation – ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ – advancing in both northern and southern Gaza.
Israel claims it has intensified its offensive to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages taken during the militant group’s October 2023 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were abducted. Approximately 58 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza.
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