A man has been indicted on four new terrorism charges in connection with the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington last year. The updated indictment, revealed on Wednesday, now includes a total of nine charges, some of which could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The accused, Elias Rodriguez, 31, is alleged to have carried out the attack during an event for young professionals and diplomats hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Prosecutors claim that he fired around 20 shots from a semi-automatic handgun while shouting “Free Palestine.”
Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, who were both employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, tragically lost their lives in the shooting. Rodriguez’s lawyers have not yet provided any comments on the matter.
FBI Assistant Director Darren B. Cox stated that Rodriguez had written and distributed a manifesto in an effort to rationalize his actions and encourage others to engage in political violence. The incident, which drew global condemnation, occurred amidst heightened tensions in the United States, including student protests surrounding the conflict in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israeli tallies report over 1,200 deaths among Israelis and foreign nationals, with more than 470 Israeli soldiers losing their lives in the subsequent ground operation. In Gaza, over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the 2023 attack, according to local health authorities.