Washington DC Shooting: Accused Elias Rodriguez, Who Killed 2 Israeli Embassy Staffers' Says 'Did It For Palestine, Gaza'

Washington DC: The accused of killing two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in the United States capital, Washington DC, told the court that he opened fire in support of "Gaza and Palestine". After the arrest, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, shouted "Free Palestine".

Rodriguez reportedly faces charges of murder. He flew from Chicago to Washington on Tuesday with a handgun in his checked luggage, reported News18 citing an FBI affidavit. He reportedly purchased a ticket for the museum event.

As per the media report, the suspect told the investigators that he was inspired by an Air Force member who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in February last year. Rodriguez called that official “courageous" and a “martyr."

Rodriguez is a resident of Chicago. He is reportedly associated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and was even involved in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, reported NDTV citing local reports.

On Wednesday night (local time), two staffers of the Israeli Embassy were shot dead by Rodriguez near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. The deceased have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. They were about to get engaged, said Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Thursday that he was "shocked" by the "horrific, antisemitic" shooting. "We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump called the shooting incident “horrible”.

“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" President Donald Trump posted on social media early Thursday. "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he added.

Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025, 10:04 AM IST