Feds file sweeping terrorism charges against suspect in deadly DC ambush of Israeli Embassy staffers at museum

A Chicago man accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., is now facing sweeping terrorism charges, as prosecutors say the deadly ambush was a calculated, ideologically-driven attack meant to terrorize the Jewish community.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, is charged in a 13-count superseding indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, with multiple terrorism-related offenses in connection with the May 21 fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C.

Rodriguez was previously charged with the murder of a foreign official, causing death through the use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, along with two federal counts of hate crime resulting in death, and two counts each of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed.

The superseding indictment adds four counts of acts of terrorism while armed, two counts each of first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill.

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Court documents allege Rodriguez approached Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, as they left a “Young Diplomats Reception” at the museum, fired roughly 20 shots from a semi-automatic handgun, and called out “Free Palestine.”

After the shooting, authorities claim Rodriguez entered the occupied museum, pulled out a red keffiyeh and said, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.”

As police removed Rodriguez from the museum, he allegedly shouted, “shame on you” and “shame on Zio-nazi terror” at the remaining event attendees.

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Both Lischinsky and Milgrim died in the attack, and two wounded embassy workers survived.

Darren Cox, FBI assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office, said that in addition to the shooting, Rodriguez allegedly wrote and published a manifesto “attempting to morally justify his actions and inspire others to commit political violence.”

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro added her office will not rest until Rodriguez is held accountable for the “horrific and targeted act of terror.”

Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen and employee of the Government of Israel, who was in the U.S. on official business while working for the Israeli Embassy.

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Milgrim, of Overland Park, Kansas, was also employed by the Israeli Embassy. 

Several of the charges filed against Rodriguez carry a maximum penalty of death, and a mandatory life sentence.