The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a superseding indictment charging Elias Rodriguez with 13 federal counts, including four new counts alleging acts of terrorism while armed, for a May shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Authorities say Rodriguez opened fire and killed two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, after firing about 20 rounds and making pro-Palestine statements. Prosecutors allege he recorded the killings; the terrorism counts carry a mandatory life sentence under D.C. law. Rodriguez previously pleaded not guilty and prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek the death penalty.
Superseding Indictment Adds Terrorism Counts in Fatal Shooting Outside Washington Jewish Museum
A photo of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim at a vigil outside the White House on May 22. (Valerie Plesch for The Washington Post / Getty Images)(Valerie Plesch for The Washington Post)
A federal superseding indictment now lists 13 counts against Elias Rodriguez, the Chicago man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington in May. Prosecutors say the updated indictment preserves prior hate-crime and murder allegations and adds four counts alleging acts of terrorism while armed.
Details of the Indictment
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington said the new indictment keeps earlier charges — including two counts of hate crime resulting in death — and adds four terrorism-related counts tied to two existing first-degree murder counts and two counts of assault with intent to kill. The office noted the terrorism counts carry a mandatory life sentence under the District of Columbia Code.
Allegations and Evidence
Authorities say Rodriguez, 31, opened fire at about 9 p.m. outside the Capital Jewish Museum, firing roughly 20 rounds from a semi-automatic handgun and killing Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26. Prosecutors allege Rodriguez shouted "Free Palestine," later entered the museum and told witnesses, "I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza." Court filings also say he recorded the shootings on a body-worn camera.
Victims and Impact
Lischinsky and Milgrim both worked for the Israeli Embassy in Washington and had been leaving a "Young Diplomats Reception" when they were shot. Officials said the couple were engaged; Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring and planned to propose in Jerusalem the following week.
Legal Status and Possible Penalties
Rodriguez previously pleaded not guilty to the original indictment; court records did not show a new plea or appearance after the superseding indictment was filed. The federal charges now include murder of a foreign official, two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of hate crime resulting in death, two counts of causing death through use of a firearm, and two counts of assault with intent to kill, in addition to the terrorism counts. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty; prosecutors have not yet filed a notice indicating whether they will seek death.
Statement: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the added terrorism counts "reflect the reality that this act was in fact an act of terror," and noted the mandatory sentencing under D.C. law.
A federal public defender listed as Rodriguez's counsel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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