A man accused of killing two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC has been charged with murder — and may face the death penalty if convicted.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, is alleged to have murdered Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in the United States capital on Wednesday.
The young diplomat couple, who were due to be engaged, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were allegedly shot in the back by Rodriguez just after 9pm.
Prosecutors' charging documents claim that once the pair fell to the ground, Rodriguez leaned over them and fired several more times.
Witnesses said the American Osteopathic Information Association employee then chanted “Free Palestine” inside the building, where he was apprehended and arrested by police.
Rodriguez, who is originally from Chicago, was charged on Thursday with two counts of first degree murder.
He has also been charged with murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence.
Jeanine Pirro, the Interim US Attorney for the District of Washington, said the Jewish community is reeling "as result of one person's actions".
Ms Pirro said Rodriguez was handed initial charges as investigators are assessing evidence "furiously and diligently", but added: "This is a death penalty eligible case.”
Judge Matthew Sharbaugh reiterated this point to Rodriguez during a brief appearance at federal magistrate court on Thursday.
Rodriguez remained calm throughout the short hearing, paying attention to the proceedings.
A preliminary court hearing will be held on June 18. Rodriguez will remain in custody.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said "this crime will not be tolerated in our city", adding: "Sadly we have had practice standing together as a community to fight antisemitism.”
Reassuring the public, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Pamela A Smith said Washington DC will see an increased presence of law enforcement. "If you see something, say something", she said.
Meanwhile, the FBI’s Steve Jensen said the killings are "both an act of terror and directed violence against the Jewish community".
He said the FBI is aware of some "writings" purported to be from Rodriguez, who is believed to have travelled to DC for a work conference, and are actively assessing if they belong to him.
It came after federal agents descended on a Illinois apartment believed to be Rodriguez’s home.
US President Donald Trump claimed the attack is "based obviously on antisemitism", while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said “I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community”.
But Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Labour leader, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s Mark Carney of being "on the wrong side of humanity" and “emboldening Hamas” leading up to the tragedy after releasing a joint statement taking aim at Israel’s “egregious” actions in Gaza.
Amichai Chikli, Israeli Minister for Diaspora, went on to add: "(They) have all, in different ways, emboldened the forces of terror through their failure to draw moral red lines. This cowardice has a price – and that price is paid in Jewish blood."
