A MAN accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members has been charged with murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Elias Rodriguez has appeared at a federal court in Washington DC following his arrest.
The 31-year-old reportedly told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities have said.
He his also said to have shouted “Free Palestine”.
Rodriguez is accused of murder of foreign officials, with the possibility of further charges as the investigation progresses, according to prosecutors.
He was not handcuffed and nodded along while the judge read him the charges, the MailOnline has reported.
The prosecution, led by Interim US Attorney for the District of Washington Jeanine Pirro, has not determined yet whether they will pursue the death penalty in this case.
However, she added that this is a “death penalty eligible case”.
The two people killed have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American.
They were a young couple who were reportedly about to be engaged.
Milgrim and Lischinsky, who were both Jewish, were working for the Israeli Embassy at the time when they were killed.
They were shot dead while leaving the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said “this crime will not be tolerated in our city”.
“Sadly we have had practice standing together as a community to fight antisemitism,” she added.
“In this moment we stand shoulder-to-shoulder as one community.”
Milgrim and Lischinsky were reportedly set to fly to Jerusalem at the weekend.
The attack has been described as targeted by officials.
A statement released by the embassy says: “The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder.
“No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss.
“Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social : “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!
“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
