Suspect Shooting Israeli Embassy Couple Faces Hate Crime and Murder

Prosecutors were charged with fatal shootings by two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. in May for hate crimes and first-degree murder.

The U.S. Department of Justice and 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez filed nine indictments against Elias Rodriguez, bringing legal findings that could allow the death penalty in the case.

Prosecutors said Mr Rodriguez opened fire at 30-year-old couple Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Lynn Milgrim before yelling “Free Palestine” during his arrest.

The defendant – who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest – has not yet filed a request in court.

Prosecutors said Mr Rodriguez, from Chicago, expressed support for the violence against Israel, including in social media posts he allegedly wrote: “Death against Israel.”

Prosecutors said he traveled from Chicago to the Washington, D.C. area on May 20.

They said Mr. Rodriguez studied an event at the capital Jewish Museum on May 21. Prosecutors claimed he purchased tickets for the event, sponsored by the American Jewish Commission and attended by two victims.

The event was described as a cyber opportunity to bring together young Jewish professionals and diplomatic communities.

When Mr. Lisinski and Ms. Milgrim left the museum, the attackers allegedly fired 20 shots and told police at the scene: “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.”

Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said Mr. Lisinski had just purchased an engagement ring and planned to propose to Ms. Milgrim in Jerusalem next week.

Prosecutors said Mr Rodriguez wrote a document called “Elaboration” that he expressed support for Palestine and claimed that Israel was trying to eliminate the Palestinians.

In the charging documents, the prosecutor also detailed Mr Rodriguez’s death penalty qualifications, including his age at 18 and his alleged killing of the victim after a substantial plan.