Chicago Man Charged With Murder of Two Israeli Embassy Staffers in Washington Shooting

Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old man from Chicago, has been charged with multiple counts including first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, in Washington, D.C. The victims were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when Rodriguez opened fire, continuing to shoot even as Milgrim tried to escape. Upon his arrest, Rodriguez reportedly declared, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza," and shouted "Free Palestine," indicating a politically motivated attack. Authorities described the incident as an act of terror directed against the Jewish community, with prosecutors considering the case eligible for the death penalty. The victims, a young couple about to be engaged, were attending an event organized to connect Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community, adding to the tragedy's poignancy. Security footage and forensic evidence, including 21 bullet casings recovered, corroborate the violent nature of the attack.