'Did it for Palestine': Man accused of killing Israeli staffers in US charged with murder

The suspect accused of opening fire at a Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, killing two Israeli embassy staffers, has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as with the charge of killing foreign officials and other firearm-related charges.

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, “This is a death penalty-eligible case,” adding that it is still too early to decide whether the prosecutors will seek it or not.

The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, confessed that he committed the crime “for Palestine”. He was also heard shouting “Free, free Palestine” as he was being taken away by police officers on Wednesday outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

The Chicago man made an initial court appearance Thursday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and murder of foreign officials.

Israel identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a US employee of the embassy, and said they were a couple planning to marry.

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Police said Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting around 9:00 pm (0100 GMT Thursday).

According to court documents, Rodriguez approached his victims, who were facing away from him, and fired 21 rounds. He shot multiple times at the couple after they were already on the ground and fired at Milgram as she tried to crawl away.

Witnesses said security personnel at first mistook the gunman for a victim of the shooting and allowed him into the museum, where he was initially comforted by bystanders.

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Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered enhanced security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions across the world after the brutal murder of officials in DC.

The incident has drawn international criticism, with many leaders calling the act anti-Semitic. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, blamed European criticism of his country’s stepped-up Gaza offensive, claiming “a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder.”

“This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations, especially from Europe,” he said.

With inputs from agencies