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U.S. attorney announces nine‑count indictment of Elias Rodriguez in Capitol Jewish Museum killings; DOJ begins death‑penalty review
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Summary
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia announced a nine‑count indictment against Elias Rodriguez in the May 21 attack that killed two Israeli embassy staff at the Capitol Jewish Museum, saying special findings were attached that trigger a Department of Justice capital‑review process. DOJ, the Civil Rights Division, the FBI and MPD described the investigation and urged vigilance against antisemitic violence.
Janine Ferris Pero, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced a nine‑count indictment on May 22 charging Elias Rodriguez in the May 21 attack near the Capitol Jewish Museum that killed two people and injured others, and said special findings have been attached that begin the Department of Justice’s death‑penalty review process.
The indictment, returned by a D.C. grand jury, includes counts the prosecutor read into the record for murder of a foreign official and hate‑crime counts resulting in death, alongside firearms and first‑degree murder‑while‑armed allegations. "This begins the statutory process and whether to seek the death penalty," Pero said, noting the capital case section of the Department of Justice will review the case and that the U.S. Attorney General will make the final decision.
The two people killed were identified in the announcement as Yaron Leshinskie and Sarah Milgram, described as employees of the Israeli embassy. Pero said the defendant traveled from Chicago to Washington, D.C., on May 20 with a 9‑millimeter semiautomatic firearm and drafted a manifesto on his phone expressing hatred for Israel. According to the announcement, Rodriguez attended a reception the following day sponsored by the American Jewish Committee near the Capitol Jewish Museum, opened fire as people left, killed the two embassy employees and then entered the museum while shouting that he had "done it for Palestine," after which he was arrested.
"Violence against anyone in this district will not be tolerated," Pero said. She called the killings "vicious and hateful" and said her office would "prosecute these cases to the full force of the law." She also told reporters that she spoke with the victims' parents and that families will have the opportunity to provide input to the capital‑review process.
Harmit Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, said the Civil Rights Division certified federal hate‑crime charges in the case and emphasized a zero‑tolerance policy for hate‑motivated violence. "The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that every community in these United States is safe from violence, intimidation, and discrimination," Dhillon said.
Reed Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, said the FBI’s investigation to date indicates the subject acted alone and that writings and communications show an anti‑Zionist, pro‑Palestinian ideological motive. "We believe he was a lone‑wolf actor motivated by anti‑Zionist and pro‑Palestinian ideology," Davis said, and he thanked local partners and community members who provided video and tips to investigators.
Assistant Chief Rami Kyle of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Investigative Services Bureau said MPD officers took Rodriguez into custody shortly after the shooting and recovered the weapon. "Our detectives worked closely with our partners at the FBI Washington field office," Kyle said, praising first responders and community cooperation.
In a question‑and‑answer session, reporters asked whether the U.S. Attorney’s Office was recommending the death penalty. Pero said the attached special findings are an indication that the department is beginning the statutory review process, but "we've made no decision yet." She explained that the capital case section will examine all evidence, that the defendant may submit materials, and that the Attorney General will ultimately decide whether to authorize seeking death.
Reporters also cited a recent FBI report they said showed a 70% rise in antisemitic crimes and asked whether federal law‑enforcement presence would increase; Pero said federal and local agencies were looking to increase efforts, and she reiterated the DOJ’s commitment to aggressively pursue hate crimes. When questioned about whether she supported a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., as publicly discussed by the president, Pero said that is a presidential decision and pivoted to concerns about youth‑crime trends and the need for local policy changes to hold young offenders accountable.
Asked to elaborate on the special findings that described one victim as particularly vulnerable, Pero declined to provide additional detail at the press conference and referred reporters to the indictment text and the formal special‑findings language.
The Department of Justice said the review regarding capital prosecution will be rigorous and will include input from the defendant and consultation with the Attorney General’s office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said it will continue to work with the FBI, MPD and the Civil Rights Division as the prosecution and review proceed.
