Charges Filed in Washington, D.C. Murder Case

A 30-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staff members.

On Thursday, the Justice Department announced charges against Elias Rodriguez in connection with the deadly incident. This occurred late on Wednesday evening, where he allegedly confessed to the shooting.

Rodriguez, described as a leftist activist from Chicago affiliated with a communist organization, reportedly yelled, “Free, free Palestine!” during his arrest. The victims, identified as Yaron (Aaron) Lisinsky, a committed evangelical Christian Zionist, and Sarah Milgrim, a Jewish American from Kansas, were attending an event at a museum when they were attacked.

According to ABC News, “Lisinsky worked in the political division of the Israeli Embassy, and Milgrim organized a U.S. mission to Israel.”

Israeli U.S. Ambassador Yechiel Leiter expressed grief over the incident, mentioning that the couple had been enjoying a night out before the tragedy and had plans to get engaged.

Witnesses reported that the shooting occurred around 9 p.m. as the pair exited the event at the museum. Reports indicate that security footage captured Rodriguez approaching them before producing a firearm from his waistband.

After the initial shots, he allegedly shot Milgrim again as she attempted to flee. Police discovered 21 bullet casings and a 9mm handgun at the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the weapon back to Rodriguez, revealing it had been purchased in Illinois in March 2020.

Rodriguez is believed to have traveled from Chicago to Washington, D.C., just days before the shooting. Allegedly, he had bought tickets for the museum event shortly before it began.

Prosecutors are considering additional charges, classifying the attack as both a hate crime and an act of terrorism. Interim U.S. Attorney Janine Pirro emphasized that anti-Semitism would not be tolerated, especially in the nation’s capital.

“These horrifying D.C. murders, clearly based on anti-Semitism, must not go unpunished,” Pirro stated.

President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, attributing the act to hatred and extremist beliefs. Rodriguez has not yet entered a plea and is awaiting a court hearing scheduled for June 18.