Man accused of killing Israeli Embassy staffers indicted on federal hate
crime and murder charges
[August 07, 2025]
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
WASHINGTON
(AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the
Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum has been indicted
on federal hate crime and murder charges, according to court documents
unsealed Wednesday.
The
indictment, filed in federal court in Washington, charges Elias
Rodriguez with nine counts, including a hate crime resulting in death.
The indictment also includes notice of special findings, which would
allow the Justice Department to potentially pursue the death penalty. |
People gather to light candles in a makeshift memorial to honor Yaron
Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim who were killed as they left an event at
the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, during a candlelight vigil
outside of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP
Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) |
|
Elias Rodriguez is accused of gunning down Yaron Lischinsky and
Sarah Milgrim as they left an event at the museum in May. He was
heard shouting “Free Palestine” as he was led away after his
arrest. He told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for
Gaza,” federal authorities have said.
Rodriguez had previously been charged with murder of foreign
officials and other crimes, and the hate crimes charges were
added after prosecutors brought the case to a grand jury. It
means prosecutors will be tasked with proving Rodriguez was
motivated by antisemitism when he opened fire on Lischinsky and
Milgrim, a young couple who were about to become engaged.
Prosecutors have described the killing as calculated and
planned, saying Rodriguez flew to the Washington region from
Chicago ahead of the Capital Jewish Museum event with a handgun
in his checked luggage. He purchased a ticket for the event
about three hours before it started, authorities have said in
court papers.
An attorney for Rodriguez didn't immediately respond to an email
seeking comment Wednesday.
Witnesses described him pacing outside before approaching a
group of four people and opening fire. Surveillance video showed
Rodriguez advancing closer to Lischinsky and Milgrim as they
fell to the ground, leaning over them and firing additional
shots. He appeared to reload before jogging off, officials have
said.
After the shooting, authorities say Rodriguez went inside the
museum and stated that he “did it.”
“I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed,” he
spontaneously said, according to court documents. He also told
detectives that he admired an active-duty Air Force member who
set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in February
2024, describing the man as “courageous” and a “martyr.”
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