Death penalty on table for suspect in fatal shooting outside Jewish Museum in Washington

A man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, has been charged with multiple counts of murder, including first-degree murder and the murder of foreign officials, along with related firearm offences.

Federal prosecutors said the attack, which occurred on the evening of May 21, is being investigated as a hate crime, and additional charges are expected, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

“This is a death penalty-eligible case,” US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced at a press conference. However, she added that it is still too early to determine whether the government will pursue the death penalty.

Steve Jenson of the FBI’s Washington field office condemned the shooting as “an act of terror and directed violence against the Jewish community.”

The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot outside the museum shortly after 9:00 p.m. local time. According to DC police, the suspect opened fire on a group of four people leaving an event at the museum, fatally wounding the two embassy staff members.

The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities said he was seen pacing near the entrance of the museum before the attack. Witnesses initially mistook him for a distressed bystander and even attempted to comfort him.

“He was inside with us, and people were trying to calm him down,” said eyewitness Yoni Kalin. “Little did we know he was somebody who executed people in cold blood.”

Police reported that Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being detained.

FBI officials said Rodriguez had arrived in the Washington, DC area only a day prior to the attack. According to a criminal affidavit, investigators believe he flew from Chicago to Washington on Tuesday for what was described as a work conference. His movements between the flight and the shooting remain under investigation.

Social media accounts linked to Rodriguez indicate that he has worked as an administrative specialist at the American Osteopathic Information Association (AOIA) in Chicago since 2024.

At his court appearance on Thursday, Rodriguez was formally charged and ordered to remain in custody. He appeared before a federal magistrate in a white prison jumpsuit and glasses, listening calmly as the charges were read out: two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.

He waived his right to a detention hearing and will be held without bond until his preliminary hearing, scheduled for June 18.

According to a federal complaint, Rodriguez told police officers on the scene that he was responsible. “I did it,” he reportedly told them, adding, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.” One witness described him as holding a red kaffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

Federal authorities continue to investigate the motive and broader circumstances surrounding the attack.

By Tamilla Hasanova