defendant Elias Rodriguez is accused of nine counts, including a hate crime that led to the death, according to court documents obtained from federal court in Washington on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old is accused of shooting the young couple, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were about to get engaged, after leaving a May event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington.
Rodriguez approached the couple and opened fire as he was reportedly pacing outside the museum before the attack.
Then, according to surveillance footage, he continued to advance on Lischinsky and Milgrim as they sank, adding more shots as he stood over them. According to officials, Rodriguez appeared to reload before running off.
At the time of the attack, two other people who were standing with the couple escaped unharmed.
Rodriguez then entered the museum and gave his murderous confession. As he was led away, he yelled “Free Palestine.” According to federal authorities, Rodriguez also told police, “I did it for Gaza, I did it for Palestine.”
In court documents, Rodriguez’s accusation that he had a handgun in his checked luggage led to his arrest was described as calculated and planned. Rodriguez is also alleged to have purchased a ticket three hours before the start of the American Jewish Committee-hosted event at the museum.
Rodriguez is currently facing charges of murder and other crimes against foreigners. After the case was presented to a grand jury, the prosecution added the hate crimes charges.
A notice of special findings, which could be used by the Department of Justice, is also included in the indictment.
Rodriguez’s murder charge is now being investigated by the prosecution as evidence that he harbored anti-Semitism when he opened fire on Lischinsky and Milgrim.
Milgrim organized trips to Israel for the Israeli embassy while Lischinsky worked as a research assistant there as well. Just before the killing of Milgrim and Lisinsky, a Jewish US citizen, reportedly purchased an engagement ring, according to reports.
President Trump also stated on Wednesday that the National Guard might be stationed in Washington’s streets, telling reporters outside the White House that the capital is “very unsafe” and that it “has to be the best-run place in the country.”
“We’re going to beautify the city,” the mayor declared. It will be made beautiful by us. And what a shame at the rate of crime, muggings, murders, and other crimes. Trump stated, “We won’t let it.”
“And that includes, perhaps very quickly, bringing in the National Guard,” he continued.
After an employee from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was assaulted over the weekend during a carjacking, Trump threatened to take control of the US capital.
Source: Aljazeera
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