Elias Rodriguez, 31, faces federal hate crime, murder, and terrorism charges for killing two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC in May 2025. He is accused of fatally shooting Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum [1, 2, 3].
Rodriguez traveled from Chicago to Washington DC on May 21, 2025, carrying a handgun in his checked luggage to attend a networking event at the museum. Prosecutors say he opened fire on Lischinsky and Milgrim as they left the event, firing about 20 shots and reloading before fleeing the scene [1, 2, 3].
After the shooting, Rodriguez shouted slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza" during his arrest and inside the museum [1, 2, 3]. He also wrote a manifesto expressing antisemitic views and justifying his actions while showing admiration for a US Air Force member who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in February 2024 [1, 2, 3].
Sarah Milgrim was a US citizen, and Yaron Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen working in the US. They were a couple planning to get engaged [1, 2, 3]. Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the charges against him [1].
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro condemned political violence in Washington DC and announced the Justice Department will seek the federal death penalty against Rodriguez. She said, "My office will not rest in our efforts to hold Elias Rodriguez accountable for this horrific, and targeted act of terror against Yaron Lischinsky, Sarah Milgrim and our Jewish community" [1]. She warned, "My message to anyone who seeks to commit political violence in this district – DC is not the place. You will be held accountable and you will face the full wrath of the law" [2].
Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court again on June 30, 2026. No trial date has been set yet [3].
