US Justice Department to pursue hate crime charges, death penalty in Israeli embassy shooting

The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to indict the killer of Israeli embassy staff members Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on federal hate crime charges, CNN reported. 

Lischinsky and Milgrim were shot and killed at close range in May while attending an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.

The indictment against Elias Rodriguez, who shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest, is expected to include federal hate crime charges in addition to two counts of first-degree murder, using a firearm to commit murder, murdering foreign officials, and using a firearm during a violent crime. 

While those charges were filed against Rodriguez the day after the shooting, then-Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated at the time that the charges were initial in nature and could be joined by additional charges. Pirro has since been confirmed in her role. 

“A young couple at the beginning of their life's journey, about to be engaged in another country, had their bodies removed in the cold of the night in a foreign city in a body bag. We are not going to tolerate that anymore,” Pirro said at a press briefing the day after the shooting.

“Antisemitism will not be tolerated, especially in the nation's capital.” 

Although the Justice Department initially pledged to pursue swift justice in the case, prosecutors requested an extension in July to file an indictment against Rodriguez, citing the complex nature of the charges.

CNN cited a source familiar with the investigation who said the indictment will also include special findings for capital punishment, suggesting that the Justice Department intends to pursue the death penalty. It also indicates that prosecutors have since been gathering evidence to support a hate crime charge.

According to CNN, it took prosecutors several weeks to find sufficient evidence for the hate crime charge, followed by several days of internal deliberations to secure approval from senior officials to present the case to a grand jury.

Despite the Justice Department’s move, securing a hate crime conviction may prove challenging, particularly since much of the video evidence and eyewitness testimony confirms that Rodriguez made multiple statements referencing the Gaza war and the Palestinian cause.

To prove a hate crime, the prosecutors must demonstrate that Rodriguez was motivated by hatred toward Jews – not political disagreements with the policies of the State of Israel. According to court records, Rodriguez told police during his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” 

The D.C. grand jury has already heard testimony from several witnesses, CNN reported.

If the hate crime charges are approved, the case could become a key trial for demonstrating the Trump administration’s stricter approach to violent crime and hate crimes targeted at the Jewish community. 

Prosecutors are seeking an indictment this week, ABC News reported. According to reports from CNN and ABC News, Rodriguez has yet to enter a formal plea in the case. 

Yaron Lischinsky is the younger brother of ALL ISRAEL NEWS correspondent Hanan Lischinsky.

The Milgrim and Lischinsky families created a Gofundme page to honor the memories of their loved ones. To donate, click here.