The Justice Department announced Friday that it will pursue the death penalty against Elias Rodriguez, the man charged with murdering two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. The decision was revealed in a court filing by prosecutors.
Details of the Attack
Rodriguez faces federal hate crime and murder charges for the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, who were shot as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum last May. 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.”
The charges include a hate crime resulting in death, and the indictment contains special findings that allow prosecutors to seek capital punishment. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated, “My message to anyone who seeks to commit political violence in this district ― D.C. is not the place. You will be held accountable and you will face the full wrath of the law.”
Motivation and Planning
Prosecutors allege that Rodriguez acted out of antisemitic bias. The victims were a young couple about to become engaged; Milgrim was a U.S. citizen, and Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen working in the U.S. The attack was described as calculated: Rodriguez flew from Chicago to Washington with a handgun in his checked luggage.
Witnesses saw him pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four and opening fire. Surveillance footage shows Rodriguez advancing toward the victims as they fell, leaning over them, and firing additional shots. He then reloaded and jogged away. After the shooting, he entered the museum and said, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.”
Legal Proceedings
In the court filing, prosecutors stated that Rodriguez’s actions were “motivated by political, ideological, national, and religious bias, contempt, and hatred.” He targeted individuals he perceived as attending an event for young Jewish professionals to amplify the impact of his crimes. Defense attorneys had previously met with Justice Department officials to argue against the death penalty but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rodriguez’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 30, with no trial date set yet. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
