The US Justice Department announced on Friday that it will seek the death penalty for Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC last year. Prosecutors described the attack as calculated and premeditated.
Details of the Shooting
Rodriguez faces federal hate crime and murder charges for the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were leaving an event at the museum on 21 May 2025. According to the indictment, Rodriguez shouted “free Palestine” during the shooting and later told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
Legal Proceedings
The charges include a hate crime resulting in death, and the indictment contains special findings that allow prosecutors to pursue capital punishment. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated at a news conference, “My message to anyone who seeks to commit political violence in this district – DC is not the place. You will be held accountable and you will face the full wrath of the law.”
Evidence and Motive
Prosecutors allege that Rodriguez flew from Chicago to Washington with a handgun in his checked luggage, specifically targeting the event. Witnesses reported seeing him pacing outside before approaching a group of four and opening fire. Surveillance footage shows him advancing closer to the victims as they fell, firing additional shots, and reloading before fleeing. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum and surrendered, stating he acted for Palestine and Gaza. He also expressed admiration for an air force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in 2024, calling him a “martyr.”
Reactions and Impact
The killings sparked bipartisan outrage among lawmakers in Washington. Milgrim was a US citizen, while Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen working in the US. The hate crime charges require proof that Rodriguez was motivated by antisemitism. The case continues to draw attention to political violence and hate crimes in the nation's capital.
