Gunman charged in deadly Israeli Embassy shooting of two staffers could face death penalty
Elias Rodriguez, 31, was charged with nine counts, including two hate crimes resulting in death charges and two of assault, in the killings of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, outside Washington DC's Capital Jewish Museum in May.
Elias Rodriguez couuld face the death penalty for the deadly May shooting.
Katie Kalisher via Storyful
The indictment also includes notice of special findings that would allow the Justice Department to potentially pursue the death penalty, according to documents filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington.
Rodriguez, who was heard shouting, 'Free Palestine,' after the shootings, was previously charged with murder of foreign officials and other crimes.
The new hate crime charges — added after the case was brought before a grand jury — means prosecutors must prove Rodriguez was motivated by antisemitism when he gunned down the soon-to-be-engaged couple.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were killed in the shooting.
Embassy of Israel Usa/UPI/Shutterstock
Rodriguez flew to DC from Chicago with a handgun in his checked luggage ahead of the May 21 killings, and purchased a ticket for the event three hours before it started, authorities said in court papers.
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