A MAN accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members has been charged with murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Elias Rodriguez has appeared at a federal court in Washington DC following his arrest.
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The 31-year-old reportedly told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities have said.
He his also said to have shouted “Free Palestine”.
Rodriguez faces charges of murder of foreign officials, while prosecutors say additional charges are likely as authorities continue to investigate the killings.
He was not handcuffed and nodded along while the judge read him the charges, the MailOnline has reported.
Authorities say Rodriguez had no previous contact with law enforcement.
According to police accounts, he was seen pacing outside the museum before the attack.
Interim US Attorney for the District of Washington Jeanine Pirro, who is leading the prosecution, has said it is “far too early” to say if the death penalty will be sought.
However, she added that this is a “death penalty eligible case”.
The two people killed have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American.
They were a young couple who were reportedly about to be engaged.
Milgrim and Lischinsky, who were both Jewish, were working for the Israeli Embassy at the time when they were killed.
They were shot dead while leaving the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening.
Rodriguez entered the museum building after the shooting – where he was apprehended by security and taken into custody.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said “this crime will not be tolerated in our city”.
“Sadly we have had practice standing together as a community to fight antisemitism,” she added.
“In this moment we stand shoulder-to-shoulder as one community.”
Milgrim and Lischinsky were reportedly set to fly to Jerusalem at the weekend.
Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring and was planning to propose during their trip, Milgrim’s parents have revealed.
“He was incredible,” Milgrim’s father Robert said of his would-be son-in-law, according to the New York Times.
“He was very much like Sarah – passionate, extremely intelligent, dedicated to what he does, always on the cause of what’s right.”
The attack has been described as targeted by officials.
A statement released by the embassy says: “The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder.
“No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss.
“Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social : “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered enhanced security measures for his country’s diplomats in the wake of the shooting.
Danny Dannon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the attack “a depraved act of antisemitic terrorism”.
He posted on X: “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.”
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