New Terrorism-Related Charges Filed Against Alleged Killer of Israeli Embassy Employees

WASHINGTON – Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, was charged in a 13-count superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court with multiple terrorism-related offenses in connection with the May 21, 2025, fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington D.C., according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Rodriguez previously was charged with the murder of a foreign official, causing death through the use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, two federal counts of hate crime resulting in death, and two counts each of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed under the D.C. criminal code. The superseding indictment adds four counts of acts of terrorism while armed (two counts each for the first-degree murders and assaults with intent to kill) in violation of the D.C. criminal code and a federal statutory aggravating factor for substantial planning and premeditation to commit an act of terrorism. Several of the charges filed against Rodriguez carry a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. “My office will not rest in our efforts to hold Elias Rodriguez accountable for this horrific, and targeted act of terror against Yaron Lischinsky, Sarah Milgrim and our Jewish community,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “These additional terrorism-related charges carry a mandatory life sentence under D.C. Code, while also reflecting the reality that this act was in fact an act of terror.” “In addition to allegedly murdering two innocent people and terrorizing the survivors of his attack at the Capital Jewish Museum, Rodriguez wrote and published a manifesto attempting to morally justify his actions and inspire others to commit political violence,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office. “His alleged actions warrant the additional terrorism charges being announced today.” Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, died in the attack. Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen and employee of the Government of Israel who was in the United States on official business while working for the Israeli Embassy. Milgrim, from Overland Park, Kansas, was also employed by the Israeli Embassy. Two surviving victims also worked for the Embassy. According to the superseding indictment, Rodriguez allegedly approached the victims as they left a “Young Diplomats Reception” at the museum, fired approximately 20 shots from a semi-automatic handgun, and called out “Free Palestine.” After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum. Several event attendees were still present. Rodriguez allegedly displayed a red keffiyeh and said, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.” As police removed Rodriguez from the museum, he shouted, “shame on you” and “shame on Zio-nazi terror” at the remaining event attendees.