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35m ago

D.C. Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers Now Charged as Terrorism in 13-Count Indictment

Prosecutors describe an ideologically driven attack, citing shouted slogans, a manifesto, premeditation.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Ferris Pirro gestures as she speaks about Elias Rodriguez, suspected of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum, at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
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Overview

  • An unsealed superseding indictment adds four counts of acts of terrorism while armed against Elias Rodriguez, bringing the case to 13 total charges.
  • The U.S. attorney says the D.C. terrorism counts carry a mandatory life sentence, and federal prosecutors have not filed notice on a death‑penalty decision.
  • Prosecutors say Rodriguez fired about 20 shots at people leaving an American Jewish Committee reception, killing Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, and wounding two others.
  • Charging documents state he shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack and later declared he did it "for Palestine" and "for Gaza," while the FBI says he published a manifesto aimed at justifying the killings and inspiring political violence.
  • Rodriguez previously pleaded not guilty and remains in custody, and the superseding indictment alleges substantial planning and premeditation to commit an act of terrorism.