Evidence Piles Up Against DC Terror Suspect in Murder of Two Israeli Diplomats [WATCH]

Federal prosecutors outlined the scope of evidence against Elias Rodriguez, 31, during his arraignment Thursday in Washington, D.C., where he faces charges for the May 21 shooting deaths of two young Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum, as reported by The New York Post.

Rodriguez appeared in U.S. District Court wearing an orange jumpsuit, glasses, and a beard. Shackled when he entered, U.S. Marshals removed his restraints before the 10-minute hearing. He pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and hate crimes.

Elias Rodriguez, the terrorist who m$rdered two Israeli Embassy staff members in front of Israeli museum in DC. pic.twitter.com/VlFpcOIiZQ

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) May 22, 2025

Judge Randolph Moss designated the case as “complex,” citing what prosecutors described as a “massive” amount of evidence.

Prosecutor Christopher Tortorice told the court that investigators had gathered 1.5 million documents, 450 megabytes of data, and an additional 106 megabytes of data from an iPhone. Tortorice added that more evidence is still forthcoming.

Rodriguez, a Chicago native, spoke only to acknowledge his rights with “Yes” and “No, your honor.” According to charging documents, Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” after killing Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, with nearly two dozen shots.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

[esi random_video_player ttl=”0″]

The couple, who were about to become engaged, had just left the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception when they were attacked.

BREAKING: The U.S. Department of Justice will seek the death penalty against Elias Rodriguez, who murdered two Israeli embassy employees, Sarah and Yaron, in the U.S. while shouting “Free Palestine.” pic.twitter.com/qGBHSXPfjg

— Vivid. (@VividProwess) August 6, 2025

Court filings state that Rodriguez flew from Chicago to Washington with a handgun in his checked luggage and purchased a ticket to the event three hours before it began.

Prosecutors allege that after the initial shots, Rodriguez stood over the victims, continued firing, and reloaded his 9mm pistol to shoot Milgrim again as she tried to crawl away.

Witnesses reported that Rodriguez entered the museum afterward, where bystanders initially mistook him for a shocked witness.

Yoni Kalin, 31, recalled, “He was soaking wet. He was wearing a suit, glasses, brownish-black hair. He was pretty much in a state of shock. He sat by himself. He was pacing.”

When police arrived, Rodriguez allegedly pulled a keffiyeh scarf from his bag and proclaimed, “I did this. I did this for Gaza. Free, free Palestine. From the river to the sea and there’s only one solution, intifada revolution.”

#BREAKING: Watch as 30-year-old shooter Elias Rodriguez from Chicago gets taken into custody after fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. as he yelled free Palestine pic.twitter.com/EcauRhaqSR

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 22, 2025

The indictment, unsealed last month, includes special findings that could allow the Justice Department to pursue the death penalty, despite Washington, D.C., abolishing capital punishment in 1981.

Rodriguez had a history of left-wing activism in Chicago, where he attended protests and was linked to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a group that has organized anti-Israel demonstrations.

Hours before the killings, he posted online, “End the genocide. Israel out of Gaza now.” The organization later issued a statement disavowing any connection to him.

The case remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to present what they call a mountain of evidence against the suspect.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.