Elias Rodriguez, the individual accused of fatally shooting two employees from the Israeli embassy outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, might face the death penalty if found guilty, according to a recently unsealed FBI affidavit.
Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with murdering a foreign official and a federal capital offense, as well as several firearm-related charges and two counts of first-degree murder.
If convicted of either of the first two charges, the death penalty could be a possibility. Under DC law, a guilty verdict for first-degree murder carries a minimum of 30 years in prison, with potential life imprisonment.
Rodriguez has waived his right to a detention hearing and is currently held without bail while he waits for his trial.
He is scheduled to return to court on June 18 for a preliminary hearing.
The shooting occurred during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, which brought together experts from the Jewish community and various diplomats.
As stated in the affidavit, one of the victims, 31-year-old Yaron Lisinsky, was an Israeli national granted “official guest” status by the U.S. State Department.
Another victim, 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim, also worked at the Israeli Embassy.
They were reportedly about to get engaged.
Surveillance footage captured Rodriguez, dressed in a blue hooded jacket and blue pants, approaching the couple from behind right before they entered the crosswalk.
According to investigators, Rodriguez pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired without any apparent provocation.
After Lisinsky fell, he allegedly approached and continued shooting. Milgrim attempted to crawl away, but Rodriguez shot her again.
The affidavit revealed that Rodriguez paused to reload before firing at her once more, then fled toward the museum entrance.
Authorities found 21 shell casings, empty handguns, and dropped magazines at the crime scene.
A preliminary autopsy indicated that Milgrim had multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported from the scene to the District of Columbia Chief Medical Examiner’s Office and was pronounced dead at 9:35 PM Wednesday.
Lisinsky was declared dead by emergency medical personnel at 9:14 PM, with autopsy results for both victims still pending.
Rodriguez did not resist arrest. When police arrived shortly after 9 PM, he reportedly stated, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza. I am not armed.”
Witness accounts indicated that some individuals at the scene were wearing red keffiyehs, which are often associated with Palestinian protesters.
In a conversation with law enforcement, Rodriguez allegedly praised protesters who had demonstrated outside the Israeli Embassy in 2024, describing their actions as courageous.
The affidavit also mentioned that Rodriguez had purchased tickets for the Israeli event just three hours prior to the shooting.
Federal authorities reported that Rodriguez traveled from Chicago to D.C. the day before the incident, carrying firearms legally acquired in Illinois.
At a Thursday press conference, Washington’s interim U.S. attorney, Janine Piro, expressed that the community is deeply shaken by the incident.
“Now it’s left to grieve for a dream that will never come true,” she remarked.
Rodriguez is facing serious charges related to the deaths of the victims, particularly as one was an Israeli citizen recognized as a U.S. State Department “official guest.”
