A Chicago man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last May is now facing multiple terrorism charges. Federal prosecutors announced that a grand jury unsealed a new 13-count indictment against Elias Rodriguez, 31, adding four counts of acts of terrorism while armed and a federal aggravating factor for substantial planning and premeditation to commit an act of terrorism, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Rodriguez is accused of firing about 20 rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, as they left a reception at the museum on May 21, 2025. Both victims worked for the Israeli Embassy, and officials said they were soon to be engaged. Two others were injured in the attack.
Prosecutors allege Rodriguez called out “Free Palestine” during the shooting and later told authorities, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.” He was previously indicted on hate crime and murder charges, including murder of a foreign official, hate crime resulting in death, and assault with intent to kill.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated, “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.” Pirro noted that the terrorism-related charges carry a mandatory life sentence under District of Columbia law and reflect the nature of the alleged crime.
Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the earlier indictment. Online court records did not show if he had entered a plea for the new terrorism charges as of Wednesday. He remains in police custody.
While some of the charges could carry the death penalty, Washington, D.C., does not have a local death penalty law. However, President Donald Trump previously instructed federal prosecutors to seek the federal death penalty in certain cases in the nation’s capital when applicable. Federal prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will pursue that penalty in Rodriguez’s case.
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