United States: Prosecution seeks death penalty for suspected killer of a Jewish couple

In May 2025, near the Jewish Museum of Washington, a tragic incident took place. The victims were both working at the Israeli embassy.

The Washington prosecutor’s office is seeking the death penalty for the presumed killer of two embassy employees near a Jewish museum in the American capital. Elias Rodriguez was arrested and charged after fatally shooting Yaron Lischinsky, a 30-year-old Israeli, and his 26-year-old American fiancee Sarah Milgrim on May 21, 2025, during Israel’s war in Gaza.

During his arrest, Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” and reportedly told investigators, “I did it for Gaza.” According to the capital’s prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, Rodriguez’s actions were driven by hate, contempt, and political, ideological, and religious prejudices.

In August, Pirro stated, “We have a problem with anti-Semitism in this country.” Rodriguez faces charges of voluntary manslaughter, murder, and “hate crime,” which is equivalent to crimes committed against individuals based on their race, ethnicity, or culture. The FBI confirms that he acted alone.

Since returning to power last year, Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Justice and federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for the most serious crimes, such as those “motivated by hate,” a practice that was halted under the previous administration of Democrat Joe Biden.