A man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to newly added terrorism charges in a case that could carry the death penalty.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, during his first court appearance in the case. A U.S. Marshal stood behind Rodriquez as he addressed the court.
Rodriguez faces 13 counts in a superseding indictment tied to the May 21, 2025, killings of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, an Israeli diplomat, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, a U.S. citizen who worked at the Israeli Embassy. Two additional embassy employees, identified as C.S. and A.T., were injured.
The updated indictment adds four counts of committing an act of terrorism while armed under D.C. law, alleging Rodriguez acted with intent to influence government policy related to Israel and the war in Gaza. The terrorism charges include two first-degree murder counts and two counts of assault with intent to kill. Those charges carry a mandatory life sentence under D.C. law.
“My office will not rest in our efforts to hold Elias Rodriguez accountable for this horrific and targeted act of terror,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a statement announcing the new charges.
Rodriguez was previously indicted on federal hate crime murder charges, the murder of a foreign official, firearms offenses, and multiple first-degree murder counts under D.C. law. He is primarily represented by Diane Shrewsbury of the D.C. Federal Public Defender’s Office.
SUSPECT IN ISRAELI EMBASSY STAFFER KILLINGS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Justice Department attorney Christopher Tortorice told the court the government is “continuing apace” with its death penalty review, according to Courthouse News.
If convicted on the federal counts, Rodriguez could face life in prison or capital punishment. A status conference is set for May 5.
