A man holding an Israeli flag with a cross in the middle kneels next to emergency personnel working at the scene of the shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staff near the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, U.S., on May 21, 2025, according to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary. Image Credit: Reuters
A man accused of killing two Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. last year was charged with four additional terrorism charges, in a new indictment unsealed Wednesday (Feb. 4, 2026).
The new indictment includes nine charges, including hate crimes, that were previously filed. Several of the charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said.
“These additional terrorism-related charges carry mandatory life sentences under DC Code, but reflect the reality that this act was, in fact, an act of terrorism,” US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, is accused by prosecutors of opening fire on people leaving an event for young professionals and diplomats, organized by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights anti-Semitism and supports Israel.
He fired about 20 rounds from a semi-automatic handgun and shouted “Free Palestine,” according to prosecutors.
An attorney for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, who worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, were killed.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office Darren B. Cox said Rodriguez wrote and published the manifesto in an attempt to “morally justify his actions” and incite others to political violence.
The shooting, condemned by leaders worldwide, came amid polarizing protests including student protests in the United States over the war in Gaza.
The war was Israel’s response to an October 2023 attack by Hamas that killed at least 1,665 Israelis and foreign nationals. According to Gaza health officials, more than 67,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and October 7, 2025.
Published – February 05, 2026 at 06:02 am IST
