Accused Shooter of Israeli Embassy Personnel Faces Murder Charges
The primary suspect in the tragic shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
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Elias Rodriguez, 31, stands accused of opening fire on attendees leaving a young professionals and diplomats event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, a group dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and supporting Israel. The chaos unfolded on a Wednesday night, raising immediate concerns within the international community.
In a distressing turn, Mr. Rodriguez reportedly told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” as documented in the charges against him. Witnesses further described hearing him chant, “Free Palestine” upon his arrest.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were preparing to become engaged, a life moment now overshadowed by this senseless violence.
Following the incident, Israeli embassies worldwide heightened their security measures, exemplifying the immediate global response to such a heinous act.
In addition to the first-degree murder charges, Mr. Rodriguez is facing multiple charges outlined in a detailed six-page criminal complaint. These include the murder of foreign officials, which is made even more serious by the use of a firearm in a violent crime.
Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, recently appointed by President Donald Trump, emphasized the severity of the case in a news briefing, noting that it is “death penalty-eligible.” She stated, “We are going to continue to investigate this as a hate crime and as a crime of terrorism,” underscoring the alarming nature of the offense.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi assured the public that the suspect acted alone, adding to the ongoing investigation to understand the full scope of the incident.
During his initial court appearance, Mr. Rodriguez waived his right to a detention hearing. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 18. He remained largely silent, responding only “I do” when asked by a federal magistrate judge if he understood his rights.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officials are examining the suspect’s writings and political affiliations.
According to an FBI affidavit, Mr. Rodriguez traveled to the Washington area from Chicago just a day before the shooting. On the night of the crime, he was seen pacing outside a museum less than two kilometers from the White House shortly before the event transpired.
Surveillance footage captured Mr. Rodriguez firing multiple rounds at Mr. Lischinsky and Ms. Milgrim. Disturbingly, he leaned over the victims to fire additional rounds even after they had fallen, with Milgrim attempting to crawl away.
He reportedly paused to reload before continuing his assault. After discarding his weapon, he entered the museum and was arrested after drawing attention to himself by brandishing a red Palestinian keffiyeh scarf and declaring, “I did it,” according to the affidavit.
As the investigation continues, officials recovered a 9mm handgun, 21 spent shell casings, and a firearm magazine from the scene. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tweeted that investigators were “aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect” and anticipated updates on their authenticity.
This follows a manifesto apparently linked to Mr. Rodriguez, which was circulated earlier on an anonymous account shortly before the shooting. His past affiliations include a brief involvement with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Chicago, which did not support his actions, stating, “We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.”
Additionally, Mr. Rodriguez was identified in a local news report as a member of the ANSWER Coalition, which has organized demonstrations advocating for Palestinians.
At the time of his arrest, he was employed at the American Osteopathic Information Association, which expressed sadness for the victims. His background included roles as an oral history researcher and content writer, illustrating a complex individual with varied interests.
Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2018 with a degree in English.
Near the crime scene, flowers and heartfelt messages have been left in remembrance of those lost.
President Trump condemned the violence, asserting, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also extended condolences, stating that his heart aches for the families of the victims, whose lives were cut short by an “abhorrent anti-Semitic murderer.” He urged that the fight against such hatred be “taken to the utmost.”
In times of tragedy, it’s crucial for communities to unite and support one another in the face of adversity.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.