Connection Between Shooting Suspect and Illinois Lawmaker
The father of a man accused of fatally shooting two Jewish individuals in Washington, D.C., had previously attended a speech by President Donald Trump in March. Eric Rodriguez, a former Iraq War veteran and an employee of the Veterans Affairs Bureau, was invited to the event by Representative Jessus “Chui” Garcia, a Democrat from Illinois.
This invitation took place less than three months before the tragic incident just a short distance from the U.S. Capitol. A spokesman for Garcia clarified that while Rodriguez was a guest at the speech, he does not have a direct relationship with the lawmaker’s family. The New York Post initially reported on this connection.
Garcia noted that he invited Rodriguez to the speech to protest the government’s reforms impacting the VA. Illinois Democrats have previously referred to Rodriguez’s father as a committed advocate for veterans’ rights and unionized workers, calling him “the best in our community.”
In a statement before the president’s address, Garcia emphasized the significance of Rodriguez’s presence, asserting that veterans and workers should not be treated as political tools. He mentioned a collective fight, bolstered by union support.
Rodriguez, who is affiliated with the United Service Employees Union, appeared in a video on the union’s Facebook page shortly after the event, commenting on his motivations for being in D.C. He expressed concern that high-profile figures like Donald Trump might jeopardize the VA system.
Meanwhile, authorities charged Rodriguez’s son, Elias, with two counts of first-degree murder along with additional serious charges following the deaths of 26-year-olds Sarah Milgrim and Jaron Lisinski. The couple was shot outside the Jewish Museum near the Capitol.
At a press conference, Janin Pillo, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, indicated that the suspect could face the death penalty. Responding to the shooting, Garcia condemned the act of anti-Semitism, expressing condolences to the victims and their families. He denounced violence as a means to achieve justice.
