What we know about the suspect in the Capital Jewish Museum shooting

Authorities at the federal level are examining writings that they believe may belong to the individual accused of the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C. They are looking into whether the attack was driven by antisemitism. The suspect, identified by Washington police as Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, allegedly shouted “Free, free Palestine” while in custody and implied he was responsible for the shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were tragically killed.

Rodriguez made an appearance before a federal magistrate judge on Thursday, facing charges including murder of foreign officials, using a firearm to cause death, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of first-degree murder. He opted to forgo a detention hearing and is currently held without bond until his preliminary hearing on June 18.

According to a criminal complaint, Rodriguez informed Washington police officers at the scene that he “did it” and stated, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.” He was allegedly seen holding a red kaffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Rodriguez also expressed admiration for a U.S. Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington in February 2024, an act believed to be a protest against the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The shooting on Wednesday is being treated as a hate crime and an act of terror, according to interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. She indicated that this is a case that could potentially lead to the death penalty.

Security footage reviewed by police showed the suspect, wearing a blue jacket with a hood and a dark-colored backpack, walking past the victims near the museum. After passing them, he retrieved a firearm from his waistband and fired multiple shots at the victims. The suspect then fired additional rounds after they fell to the ground.

Investigators recovered 21 expended 9 mm cartridge casings, a firearm magazine, an empty magazine, and a 9 mm handgun from the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the handgun back to Rodriguez’s purchase in Illinois in March 2020. Rodriguez had flown from Chicago to Washington with the firearm he declared in his checked luggage.

Law enforcement officers in Chicago cordoned off an address linked to Rodriguez by public records. Rodriguez’s neighbor described him as a seemingly normal and friendly individual, expressing regret that they had not discussed his views on Israel.

Efforts to reach Rodriguez’s family in Chicago were unsuccessful. The FBI is examining writings allegedly authored by Rodriguez, which suggest a motivation to act on behalf of the Palestinian people. Rodriguez’s employment history includes roles at the American Osteopathic Information Association and The HistoryMakers.

Politicians from both major parties have denounced the shooting, with President Donald Trump attributing it to antisemitism, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it another instance of rampant antisemitism in society.