Late Wednesday, law enforcement in Washington detained Elias Rodriguez, 30, accused of gunning down two staffers from the Israeli Embassy outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
Rodriguez reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" as he was led away, later telling officers "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza." Prosecutors say he fired 21 rounds at Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a U.S. embassy employee and fiancé of Lischinsky.
Court filings indicate that after both victims fell to the ground, Rodriguez continued to fire at them, including shots as Milgrim attempted to crawl to safety. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and a count of killing foreign officials, offenses that carry a potential death penalty if he is convicted.
In his initial court appearance, Rodriguez was formally charged and is now held without bail. His case is expected to draw intense scrutiny as authorities and diplomats weigh the broader impact on international security and diplomatic relations.
While the investigation unfolds, questions are mounting about protective measures at public and cultural venues. The incident underscores the risks faced by diplomatic staff even outside secured embassy grounds.
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Alleged U.S. killer of Israeli Embassy staff charged with murder
cgtn.com
