Suspect in shooting of Israeli Embassy staffers faces federal charges

(NewsNation) — A federal grand jury indicted Elias Rodriguez with hate crime and first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., in May.

Newly confirmed federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro announced the charges Thursday, noting that Rodriguez was being indicted on nine charges in total:

• Count 1: First-degree murder of a foreign official
• Count 2 and 3: Hate crimes resulting in death
• Count 4 and 5: Discharging a firearm while committing crime causing death
• Count 6 and 7: First-degree murder while armed
• Count 8 and 9: Assault with intent to kill while armed

On May 21, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot and killed while leaving an event at the Capitol Jewish Museum. According to officials with the Israeli Embassy, the couple were soon to be engaged.

After shooting the two staffers, police said Rodriguez yelled, “Free, Free, Palestine,” before he was arrested. According to Pirro, Rodriguez had traveled from Chicago to D.C. with an “explication” on his phone that made clear his intent to commit these crimes.

Pirro said the death penalty is not off the table and that Attorney General Pam Bondi would decide if it will be sought.

“I want to make something perfectly clear. Violence against anyone in this district will not be tolerated. Especially violence which has hate at its core and is the genesis of violence,” Pirro said. “The president put me here to do a job, to clean up the district, to make sure that crime doesn’t overshadow this phenomenal city, our nation’s capital.”

Rodriguez has not yet entered a plea. His next court appearance is Friday.