A federal judge has charged a man in connection with a hate crime involving the deaths of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. Elias Rodriguez, 31, faces two counts of hate crimes resulting in death, along with additional charges related to the incidents.
This case marks an extension of earlier charges announced in May. Federal prosecutors are now considering the possibility of pursuing the death penalty, citing aggravating factors that could justify such a punishment if Rodriguez is found guilty.
Rodriguez is accused of fatally shooting a young couple, both 26, who worked at the Israeli Embassy just as they were leaving the event near the D.C. Capital Jewish Museum on May 21. After the shooting, witnesses reported that Rodriguez declared his actions were done “for Palestine,” while expressing sentiments of shame.
In a document created a day before the incident, Rodriguez allegedly mentioned taking “satisfaction” in a misguided belief that he was reclaiming humanity lost to others. It appears he planned to share his thoughts on social media shortly after the shooting occurred.
Rodriguez’s charging documents reveal a range of social media activities leading up to the event, including a message in May 2024 where he implored a higher power to eliminate a specific group of people. It’s unclear how those statements relate to the attack.
Attempts to reach Rodriguez’s attorney for further comment have been made, but he has not yet entered a plea and is set to appear in court again on Friday.
The new charges of hate crimes and assault will be added to the original accusations, which already include murder of a foreign official, two counts of first-degree murder, and charges related to firearms.
