Investigation into Elias Rodriguez’s Alleged Attack on Embassy Staff
Elias Rodriguez, accused of attacking two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Jewish Museum in D.C., has a background steeped in political activism. Various interviews and writings associated with him reveal his views on U.S. military interventions and police conduct.
A 2017 GoFundMe page, which included images of Rodriguez, noted that he was only 11 when his father was deployed to Iraq. The Army National Guard has since confirmed that Rodriguez’s father served from 2005 to 2012, with a deployment in Iraq lasting from October 2006 to September 2007.
This fundraising page, established in August 2017, aimed to support his participation in the anti-war People’s Assembly.
Following his arrest, authorities reported that Rodriguez did not have a criminal record prior to this incident.
Reports indicate that he was affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and was active in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
During the investigation, a letter was circulated on social media shortly after the shooting, which was signed by Rodriguez and called for violent retaliation regarding the conflict in Gaza.
On May 21st, a social media account associated with Rodriguez criticized violence inflicted on Palestinians by Israelis and advocated for “armed action” as a valid protest method. However, it’s uncertain who shared this post or if it was scheduled ahead of time.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old allegedly shot Jaron Lisinski and Sarah Milgrim, yelling “Free, free Palestine” upon his arrest. The couple had just exited a Jewish event when Rodriguez approached a nearby group and opened fire at close range.
A federal complaint was filed on May 22nd, charging Rodriguez with murder, among other offenses. He reportedly stated to police that his actions were influenced by a man who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy last year to draw attention to the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, referring to US airlines as “martists.”
