Suspect in Israeli embassy employees murdering faces possible death sentence
(MENAFN) A man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, DC, may face the death penalty, US officials have announced. Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, were shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum during a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee on Wednesday. Israeli authorities condemned the attack as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
Jeanine Pirro, Interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia, confirmed Thursday that the suspect faces charges including the murder of a foreign official, noting that Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen and an official US government guest. While it is too early to say if prosecutors will seek capital punishment, Pirro said the case qualifies for the death penalty and that the suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been informed of this possibility.
The victims, who were engaged to be married, were among over 100 attendees at a “Young Diplomats Reception.” After leaving the event, the couple was shot on a quiet street. Court documents reveal chilling details, including surveillance footage showing Milgrim attempting to escape before being shot multiple times by the suspect, who paused only briefly to reload.
An FBI affidavit states the attack was premeditated, with Rodriguez flying from Chicago to Washington the day before, carrying a handgun in his checked luggage, and purchasing a ticket to the event just hours prior to it starting. After the shooting, Rodriguez reportedly entered the museum, admitted guilt, and proclaimed, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.” Authorities also said he shouted “Free Palestine” while being arrested.
The attack comes amid escalating international criticism of Israel’s Gaza offensive and an aid blockade that has pushed Gaza toward famine. Recently, the Israel Defense Forces launched a significant ground operation named ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ in northern and southern Gaza. Israel states the offensive aims to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the militant group’s October 2023 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 abducted. Approximately 58 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
