Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, has been indicted on additional federal and local charges related to the fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on May 21, 2025.
Rodriguez was previously charged with the murder of a foreign official, causing death through use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He also faced two counts of first-degree murder under the District of Columbia criminal code. The new indictment adds two federal hate crime charges resulting in death and two local counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Some charges in the indictment carry potential penalties of death or life imprisonment. The Attorney General will decide at a later time whether to seek the death penalty.
“This office will leave no stone unturned in its effort to bring justice to the innocent victims of Elias Rodriguez,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “The hate charges shed further light on his evil intent in the killing of innocent victims.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis from the Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith joined Pirro in announcing the new charges.
“This Justice Department will not tolerate violence motivated by hatred of faith or national origin, and we will enforce our federal civil rights laws accordingly,” said Assistant Attorney General Dhillon.
According to court documents, Rodriguez made statements before the attack advocating violence against Israelis. On May 20, he traveled from Chicago to Washington D.C., bringing a semi-automatic handgun with him. That same day he allegedly wrote a manifesto titled “Explication,” arguing for armed demonstration and stating that those opposed to genocide believe perpetrators have lost their humanity.
On May 21, Rodriguez purchased a ticket for an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum attended by several Israeli Embassy employees: Yaron Lischinsky (an Israeli citizen), Sarah Milgrim (a U.S. citizen), C.S., and A.T., both U.S. citizens as well.
Authorities allege that after these individuals left the museum reception, Rodriguez fired approximately 20 shots using his handgun. After his initial attack brought down some victims, he continued shooting at close range as one tried to escape. Both Lischinsky and Milgrim were killed; during this act Rodriguez reportedly shouted “Free Palestine.”
Afterward, Rodriguez entered the museum where other attendees remained inside, displayed a red keffiyeh scarf and stated: “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.” As police removed him from the building he yelled at attendees: “shame on you” and “shame on Zio-nazi terror.” Investigators recovered both his weapon and spent shell casings at the scene.
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s Washington Field Office along with Metropolitan Police Department officers. Prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for D.C., with assistance from DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
Officials remind that an indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
