A man has been charged with additional terrorism offenses in connection to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., last year. The new indictment, unveiled on Wednesday, brings the total charges against the accused to nine, including hate crimes, with some carrying the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, is accused by prosecutors of shooting at individuals leaving an event organized by the American Jewish Committee, a group advocating against antisemitism and in support of Israel. During the incident, Rodriguez reportedly fired around 20 shots from a semi-automatic handgun while shouting “Free Palestine.”
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, both employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, lost their lives in the attack. Rodriguez’s legal representatives have not yet provided comments on the case.
FBI Assistant Director Darren B. Cox stated that Rodriguez penned a manifesto to justify his actions morally and encourage others to engage in political violence. The shooting was widely condemned globally and took place amidst heightened tensions, including student protests, in the U.S. related to the conflict in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, resulted in significant casualties, including over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals. Additionally, more than 470 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives during the ground operation in Gaza following the initial attack. Gaza health authorities reported that over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the same date in 2023.
