A man accused of shooting dead two Israeli embassy staff members leaving the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, could face the death penalty.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with murder of foreign officials, two counts of first-degree murder, causing the death of a person through using a firearm, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, authorities announced on Thursday afternoon.
Rodriguez allegedly approached Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, and opened fire on them as they left an event supporting Gazans shortly after 9pm. He was seen pacing in front of the museum moments earlier.
He reportedly said, ‘I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza’, as he was arrested on Wednesday night.
Who is the Capital Jewish Museum shooter?
The accused Capital Jewish Museum shooter, Rodriguez, was working as an administration specialist at the American Osteopathic Information Association in Chicago, according to his LinkedIn page.
The association and its president, Teresa Hubka, stated: ‘We were shocked and saddened to learn that an AOIA employee has been arrested as a suspect in this horrific crime.
‘Both the AOIA and AOA stand ready to cooperate with the investigation in any way we can. As a physician organization dedicated to protecting the health and sanctity of human life, we believe in the rights of all persons to live safely without fear of violence.’
Prior to that, Rodriguez worked as a production and logistics coordinator and an oral history researcher for The HistoryMakers, a national nonprofit based in Chicago that works to preserve the untold stories of African Americans. Rodriguez also worked as a senior content associate and training coordinator at Coupon Cabin for three years.
What groups is Elias Rodriguez linked to?
Rodriguez is linked to the far-left group Party for Socialism and Liberation, which makes anti-Israel posts on social media. However, the group wrote on social media that his association with them ended in 2017.
‘We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL,’ wrote the group on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
‘He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.’
Rodriguez reportedly attended at least one Black Lives Matter protest in Chicago, while Rahm Emanuel was mayor. During the protest, Rodriguez apparently accused Amazon of not sharing its fortune with black residents.
What did Elias Rodriguez do?
Rodriguez allegedly approached four people leaving the event put on by the American Jewish Committee, and shot two of them. As the victims fell to the ground, Rodriguez allegedly fired more rounds as they sat up or attempted to crawl away.
He was ‘captured on the video advancing closer to the decedents, leaning over with them with his arm extended, and firing several more times,’ states an affidavit from the FBI.
Rodriguez then entered the museum, where he was detained by security guards.
He was reportedly in Washington, DC, to attend a professional conference, and flew into Ronald Reagan National Airport with a legal firearm.
What does Elias Rodriguez face if convicted?
Rodriguez sat calmly at his arraignment in federal court on Thursday afternoon, and did not enter a plea.
If convicted of either of two counts of first-degree murder, Rodriguez could face the death penalty, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh told him.
Jeanine Pirro, interim US attorney in Washington, said the shooting is a ‘death penalty-eligible case’ but it is ‘far too early’ to know if prosecutors will indeed pursue capital punishment.
Rodriguez waived his right to have a detention hearing and is being held without bond. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 18.
