New terrorism charges filed in Capital Jewish Museum shooting

Federal prosecutors filed new terrorism charges against the man accused of killing two Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last year.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, was charged in a 13-count superseding indictment that was unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court, according to the Justice Department.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez traveled from Chicago to the Washington area on May 20, 2025, flying to Arlington, Virginia, before driving into the capital. The following day, Rodriguez allegedly used the internet to purchase a ticket to a “Young Diplomats Reception” held at the Capital Jewish Museum.

After the event, Rodriguez allegedly approached Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, as they exited the museum and fired about 20 shots from a Heckler & Koch VP9 SK 9mm semi-automatic handgun that authorities said he transported from Chicago, killing them.

Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Milgrim, an American, worked for the Israeli Embassy. Two other people injured in the shooting also worked for the embassy, according to court records.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack, then entered the museum while guests were still inside and said, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.”

In the original indictment, Rodriguez was charged with nine counts, including the murder of a foreign official and two federal hate-crime counts resulting in death, which are eligible for the death penalty.

Court filings reviewed by Urgent Matter showed the Justice Department has actively weighed whether to seek the death penalty. Judges appointed specialized capital defense counsel and repeatedly paused the speedy-trial clock to allow Rodriguez’s attorneys to prepare mitigation materials for a federal capital review.

The original charges also included causing death through the use of a firearm, two counts each of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed.

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to those charges in September, court records showed.

The superseding indictment added four terrorism counts under the D.C. criminal code tied to the first-degree murder and attempted murder charges, alleging the acts were committed while Rodriguez was armed.

It also added a federal aggravating factor alleging substantial planning and premeditation, which could be used by prosecutors to argue for a more severe sentence if Rodriguez is convicted.

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