Federal officials are currently examining writings believed to belong to Elias Rodriguez, the man charged with the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.
The investigation is underway to determine whether the attack was motivated by antisemitism.
Rodriguez, 31, hailing from Chicago, was identified by Washington police as the shooter who allegedly shouted “Free, free Palestine” while in custody.
He indicated that he was the gunman responsible for the shooting incident that occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, both carried out diplomatic functions for the Israeli Embassy.
During his court appearance on Thursday before a federal magistrate judge, Rodriguez wore a white prison jumpsuit and glasses, maintaining a calm demeanor as he faced serious charges.
These charges include the murder of foreign officials, causing death through use of a firearm, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of first-degree murder.
Rodriguez waived his detention hearing and is being held without bond until a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 18.
According to a criminal complaint, federal agents reported that Rodriguez confessed to Washington police officers arriving at the crime scene, stating, “I did it,” and expressing his motivations as linked to Gaza and Palestine.
Witness accounts point to Rodriguez wearing a red kaffiyeh scarf, a symbol associated with Palestinian solidarity.
He reportedly praised a U.S. Air Force member who committed self-immolation in front of the Israeli Embassy in February 2024, seeming to protest the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has characterized the shooting incident as both a hate crime and an act of terror, underlining the seriousness of the attack with a reference to its potential death penalty eligibility.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots and observed the suspect struggling to fire his weapon initially but later saw him run away while allegedly discarding it.
Security footage indicates that Rodriguez, wearing a blue hooded jacket and a large dark-colored backpack, approached the victims before firing several rounds at them.
After the victims fell, he leaned over and continued to shoot, even following one of the women as she attempted to flee.
Forensics later found evidence of the crime, including 21 spent 9 mm cartridge casings, a firearm magazine, and a gun with its slide locked, indicating it had run out of ammunition.
Further investigation revealed that Rodriguez had purchased the firearm used in the shooting on March 6, 2020, in Illinois.
Remarkably, he had traveled from Chicago to Washington on Tuesday with the firearm declared in his checked luggage and bought a ticket to the museum event just three hours before it commenced.
Law enforcement also roamed the Albany Park neighborhood in Chicago, pinpointing an apartment associated with the suspect based on public records.
FBI agents entered the premises, reportedly seizing large electronic equipment, while Chicago police maintained a perimeter outside.
Residents described Rodriguez as a seemingly friendly individual, one who had a “Justice for Wadee” sign in his window — a nod to a Palestinian American boy murdered by his landlord amidst the tensions from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
John Wayne Fry, a neighbor, noted that although he interacted with Rodriguez infrequently, their conversations had never touched on the complex subject of Israel.
Rodriguez’s family could not be reached for comment, illustrating the murky background surrounding the suspect.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino remarked on social media about the scrutiny of certain writings attributed to Rodriguez, indicating that they were examining the authenticity of these documents.
These writings reportedly demonstrate a motivation to act on behalf of the Palestinian cause.
Rodriguez’s professional background includes his work as a “profiles administrative specialist” for the American Osteopathic Information Association and, more recently, as a coordinator and oral history researcher at The HistoryMakers in Chicago.
The organization released a statement affirming their dedication to protecting health and human dignity, emphasizing the rights of people to live free from violence.
The tragic shooting claimed the lives of Lischinsky and Milgrim, who were engaged in diplomatic activities, having recently attended a Young Diplomats reception organized by the American Jewish Committee at the museum.
Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the attack, referencing it as a stark example of the rising antisemitism in society.
Israel’s ambassador to the United States offered condolences, noting Lischinsky’s commitment to Israeli service and his aspirations of a future with Milgrim.
In stark contrast, President Donald Trump characterized the incident as clearly rooted in antisemitism, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized its alarming prevalence.
The forthcoming proceedings will not only determine Rodriguez’s legal fate but also reflect broader societal dialogues on hate crimes and the implications of global conflicts within domestic borders.
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