The Chicago man accused of killing two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., continued firing on one of the victims even as she tried to crawl away from him, federal authorities said Thursday.
And when police arrived, he allegedly told them, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
That’s according to a six-page FBI affidavit supporting federal criminal charges against Elias Rodriguez, 31. He’s charged with the first-degree murder of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
Rodriguez was also charged with the murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital, called the case “death penalty eligible” during a press conference Thursday afternoon.
The FBI affidavit says Rodriguez traveled Tuesday from O’Hare Airport to Reagan National Airport. Police identified him at the museum using his Illinois driver’s license and Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
Rodriguez purchased a 9mm handgun, which was found near the scene of the shooting, on March 6, 2020, in Illinois, authorities say.
The shooting was caught on surveillance video, according to the feds’ affidavit. It alleged that Rodriguez walked by the victims, turned to face their backs, brandished a gun from his waistband and opened fire.
When the victims fell to the ground, Rodriguez allegedly walked closer, leaned over them with his arm extended and continued firing. As Milgrim tried to crawl away, Rodriguez allegedly followed behind her and continued firing.
Eventually, Rodriguez appeared to stop and reload his gun, according to the affidavit. That’s when Milgrim sat up. But once he reloaded, Rodriguez allegedly opened fire on her again before running away, according to the affidavit.
When Metropolitan police arrived, they entered the museum to ask about cameras and witnesses, according to the affidavit. That’s when Rodriguez allegedly asked to speak with an officer.
Rodriguez allegedly told police he “did it” and was unarmed. He also allegedly said, “I did it for Palestine.” As police escorted him from the museum, he allegedly shouted “Free Palestine!”
During a later police interview, Rodriguez allegedly expressed admiration for a man who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy on Feb. 25, 2024.
Meanwhile, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said authorities were working to corroborate unspecified “writings allegedly authored” by Rodriguez, an apparent reference to a document circulating online expressing anger over Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza.
That document, posted on the social media site X, refers to “atrocities committed by the Israelis against Palestine” and discusses the need for “accountability.”
The post does not explicitly reference a shooting.
As of Thursday afternoon, federal officials said they were “actively investigating” the writings, but The New York Times reports that it has confirmed the social media account belongs to Rodriguez.