Man, 31, charged with murder of 2 Israeli embassy employees in US

Two Israeli embassy staff were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on the night of May 21.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the lone gunman opened fire on the victims as they were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee.

The victims, U.S. citizen Sarah Milgrim and Israeli citizen Yaron Lischinsky, were staff at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C.

Lischinski was an official guest of the U.S. government.

The police arrested the alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, at the scene after he turned himself in, according to the FBI affidavit published by the New York Times.

The 31-year-old from Chicago has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, among other crimes, including the murder of foreign officials and firearm charges.

According to media reports citing court documents, Rodriguez continued firing at close range after his victims fell, even as one attempted to crawl away.

At the scene, Rodriguez reportedly said to the police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza”, before shouting “Free Palestine” as he was escorted from the museum.

At Thursday's court hearing, Rodriguez was ordered to remain in detention, with his next hearing scheduled for Jun. 18.

Investigated as a hate crime

At a press conference, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that the attack is being investigated as a hate crime and more charges are expected.

She added that while it's too early to say whether prosecutors will seek a death sentence, this was a "death penalty-eligible case”.

Social media accounts linked to Rodriguez have indicated his heavy involvement in the pro-Palestinian protest movement, according to the BBC.

BBC also said investigators were working on authenticating online writings allegedly made by Rodriguez, in which the writer accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, criticises U.S. policy and discusses the use of political violence.

Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on anti-Semitism, must end, NOW!”

U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu also spoke over the phone about the incident, where Trump expressed his sadness about the incident.

In a post on X by his office, Netanyahu referred to the May 21 attack as "the terrible cost of antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel".

According to NBC News, an organiser for the event the couple attended said it was focused on building a coalition to help people suffering in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“We were wanting to counter the us-versus them narrative,” she said. “It’s deeply ironic that what we were discussing was bridge building and then we were all hit over the head with such hatred".

Top image via Embassy of Israel to the USA/X