US justice department to seek death penalty for man charged with killing two Israeli embassy staffers
Summary
The US Justice Department will seek the death penalty for Elias Rodriguez, who is accused of killing two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington. He faces hate crime and murder charges after allegedly shooting the victims while shouting pro-Palestinian statements.Key Facts
- Elias Rodriguez is charged with murder and federal hate crimes for shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC.
- The victims were Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen working in the US, and Sarah Milgrim, a US citizen.
- The attack occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May 2025 as the victims were leaving an event.
- Rodriguez reportedly shouted “free Palestine” during the shooting and later said he did it “for Palestine” and “for Gaza.”
- Prosecutors say the attack was planned; Rodriguez flew from Chicago with a handgun in his luggage.
- Surveillance showed Rodriguez shooting the victims, reloading, and then fleeing.
- After the shooting, he entered the museum and declared he was unarmed and claimed he was motivated by Palestinian causes.
- The death penalty pursuit means prosecutors must prove Rodriguez was motivated by antisemitism linked to a hate crime.
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