Two Israeli diplomats were shot in the back by a pro-Palestinian gunman who fired at least 21 times, according to the FBI.
Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, were a young couple about to be engaged.
They were killed while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday evening.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, the suspected gunman, appeared in a white prison jumpsuit at a federal court in Washington DC on Thursday.
Horrific new details of the shooting later emerged in an FBI affidavit which gave descriptions of surveillance footage collected from the scene.
It showed Rodriguez walking towards the museum as the couple prepared to enter a crosswalk.
‘Once Rodriguez walked past the decedents and two witnesses he turned to face their backs and brandished a firearm from the area of his waistband,’ the affidavit said.
‘Rodriguez is captured on the video extending both his arms in the direction of the decedents and firing several times, as indicated by the muzzle flashes.
Elias Rodriguez is the 30 year-old gunman charged with murdering a young Israeli couple at the Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday night. He is pictured being arrested shortly after the killings
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim who were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by Embassy of Israel to the U.S. on May 22, 2025
An onlooker watches draped in an Israeli flag as police investigate the scene in the immediate aftermath of the shooting
‘Once the decedents fell to the ground Rodriguez is captured on the video advancing closer to the decedents, leaning over them with his arm extended, and firing several more times.’
The affidavit referred to Milgrim as ‘decedent 1’.
It went on: ‘As decedent 1 attempted to crawl away he (Rodriguez) followed behind her and fired again. After a brief moment Rodriguez appeared to reload his firearm. At the same time decedent 1 sat up. Once he reloaded Rodriguez fired several times at decedent 1.’
Rodriguez was then captured on video ‘jogging’ back toward the museum entrance.
One witness reported seeing him throw his gun away after it stopped firing.
At the museum, according to the affidavit, he told police: ‘I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza. I am unarmed.’
According to the affidavit Rodriguez, who is from Chicago, had flown from his home city to Washington on May 20.
He declared and flew with a gun in his checked baggage.
Rodriguez appeared in court where he was charged with two counts of murder
Investigators remained on the scene on Thursday, cleaning blood off the sidewalk
Elias Rodriguez told police: ‘I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza’
When he appeared in court on Thursday Rodriguez was told he could face the death penalty if convicted.
Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom which was just a few blocks from where the horrific crime took place in the nation’s capital.
Rodriguez, who was not handcuffed, nodded repeatedly as the judge read him the charges.
There were no outbursts and he spoke in a calm and even voice when giving his name and age.
At one point towards the end of the 15-minute hearting he smiled briefly and appeared to shrug slightly as lawyers discussed the best timing for his next hearing.
Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh told him he faces five charges.
The first was ‘murder of foreign officials’ and carries a possible death sentence.
The second charge was ‘causing the death of a person through the discharge of a firearm,’ which also carried a potential for execution.
The third was ‘discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence,’ for which he could get life if convicted.
Rodriguez will also face two charges of first-degree murder, which carry potential life sentences.
