Anti-Israel gunman faces federal hate crime charges in deadly DC embassy staffers shooting
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The anti-Israel suspect accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in May will be charged with federal hate crimes, FOX News has learned.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago is accused of shooting and killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 21, 2025.

Rodriguez is believed to have committed the act alone, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The superseding indictment is not yet filed publicly. Rodriguez has a scheduled hearing in federal court on Friday where more details about his alleged crimes are expected to be revealed.

Security guards stand outside a brick building

Security officers surround the Israeli Embassy, May 22, in Washington, D.C., following a shooting that left two Israeli Embassy staffers dead. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

He then entered the museum where he was detained by event security. While in custody, he yelled “Free, free Palestine!” Smith said.

On the night of the shooting, the two diplomats were shot at close range while an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) was taking place at the museum.

The event was for young Jewish professionals who work in foreign policy and had a panel discussion focused on finding humanitarian solutions for Gaza.

The Israeli Embassy said Lischinsky and Milgrim were “in the prime of their lives.”

“This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder,” the embassy wrote in a post on X. “No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, said the two victims were dating and on the verge of engagement. Leiter said the man had just purchased a ring “with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.”

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