Suspect charged with murder of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington

Published on 23/05/2025 - 10:19 GMT+2

The man arrested arsenic nan lone fishy successful nan fatal shooting of 2 Israeli embassy employees successful Washington was charged connected Thursday pinch 2 counts of first-degree execution and execution of overseas officials. 

Chicago-born Elias Rodriguez, 31, shouted “Free, free Palestine” arsenic he was led distant aft shooting and sidesplitting 2 Israeli embassy labor extracurricular an arena successful nan US superior connected Wednesday, according to tribunal documents.  

US national Sarah Milgrim and an Israeli-German nationalist Yaron Lischinsky were killed successful nan attack. The 2 were a young mates group to go engaged, according to Israeli ambassador to nan US Yechiel Leiter. 

After his arrest, Rodriguez told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” national authorities said connected Thursday arsenic they announced nan charges successful what they described arsenic a targeted enactment of terrorism. 

Rodriguez appeared successful a US national tribunal successful Washington connected Thursday but did not participate a plea. Prosecutors said further charges are apt arsenic they analyse nan incident arsenic some a dislike crime and an enactment of terrorism. If convicted, Rodriguez could look nan decease penalty. 

According to an FBI affidavit, Rodriguez flew to Washington from Chicago pinch a handgun successful his checked baggage.

The archive said rule enforcement has seen and reviewed information footage showing Rodriguez first stepping past nan victims — who were portion of a group of 4 group —outside nan museum, past turning, pulling a firearm and shooting them successful nan back.

One of nan victims fell to nan ground, while nan other, identified arsenic Milgrim, tried to crawl distant from him. He approached some and fired respective much times, according to nan affidavit.

Witnesses opportunity he entered nan building visibly distressed aft nan attack, prompting bystanders to thief him earlier realising he was nan alleged perpetrator.

The arena astatine nan Capital Jewish Museum was dedicated to helping Gazans, organisers said.

The killings prompted Israeli embassies astir nan world to summation their information and little flags to half-staff and caused a slew of condemnations from world leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s agency said he was “shocked” by nan “horrific, antisemitic” shooting.