A man accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staff members near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last week could face the death penalty, according to a federal affidavit made public Thursday.

My heart breaks for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. Antisemitic violence has no place in the United States.

We're praying for their families and all of our friends at the Israeli Embassy, where the two victims… pic.twitter.com/IojnTD7JHN

— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 22, 2025

Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with the murder of foreign officials—a federal capital offense—as well as two counts of first-degree murder and multiple weapons violations. The Justice Department said that if convicted on the federal murder charges, Rodriguez could be sentenced to death. Under local D.C. law, first-degree murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

The attack took place Wednesday night outside a private event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky, 31, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were both employees of the Israeli Embassy. Lischinsky was an Israeli national with “official guest” status from the State Department, and Milgrim, also embassy staff, was reportedly engaged to him.

The two diplomats murdered in Washington DC were both Messianic Jews (Christians) who were planning to get married.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
May their memory be eternal. pic.twitter.com/d72nOKM84t

— Ridvan Aydemir | Apostate Prophet 🎗 (@ApostateProphet) May 22, 2025

Surveillance footage cited in the FBI affidavit shows a man matching Rodriguez’s description—wearing a hooded blue jacket, dark backpack, and blue pants—approaching the couple from behind as they neared a crosswalk. Without warning, the suspect pulled a 9mm handgun and began firing, the affidavit states.

After both victims fell, the shooter stepped closer and continued to fire. Investigators say Milgrim attempted to crawl away, but Rodriguez reloaded and kept shooting. A total of 21 shell casings, a magazine, and the firearm were recovered at the scene. Both victims were pronounced dead Wednesday night. Autopsy results are pending.

Rodriguez waived his right to a detention hearing and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 18.

Authorities say Rodriguez flew to Washington from Chicago the day before the attack. He legally transported the gun used in the shooting in checked baggage. The firearm was purchased legally in Illinois in 2020.

According to the affidavit, Rodriguez allegedly confessed to the attack while being taken into custody. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s First District encountered him shortly after the shooting. Rodriguez told them, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza. I am unarmed,” and later shouted “Free Palestine” as he was arrested.

Witnesses told investigators they saw the suspect wearing a red keffiyeh, a traditional head covering often seen at Palestinian protests. Rodriguez also reportedly told law enforcement that he admired the protester who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in 2024, calling the man a “martyr.”

Investigators said Rodriguez bought a ticket to the embassy event only three hours before carrying out the attack.