Act of Terror: Two Israeli Embassy Staff Gunned Down in Cold Blood in U.S.
Washington(The Uttam Hindu): US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen on Friday termed the senseless murder of two Israeli Embassy staff outside the Jewish National Museum in Washington, a act of terror and targeted violence against the Jewish community.
At a press briefing, he declared that the issue has the complete and unwavering attention of the FBI and that it will keep following all leads and leveraging all available tools in order to investigate the attack. With the help of FBI offices nationwide, we're still investigating and reaching out to the subject's acquaintances, relatives, and co-workers. We're also serving search warrants for his electronic equipment and searching his social media sites," Jensen stated.
The shooting occurred outside an American Jewish Committee event for Young Diplomats at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum. The lone gunman was named by police as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told a news conference the suspect had yelled "Free, free Palestine!" as he was being arrested. The victims included Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky, who were both employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington.
Following a statement released by the US Department of Justice, the suspect Rodriguez has been indicted on federal and local murder charges related to the May 21 fatal shooting of two employees of the Israeli Embassy. He is indicted in the US District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, death resulting from the use of a firearm, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The indictment was made by US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith. Make no mistake: This was targeted, anti-semitic violence. The FBI will continue to follow all leads and utilize all available resources to investigate this horrific murder," added Assistant Director in Charge Jensen.
Calling the assault brutal, anti-Semitic violence that is not welcome in the US or civilization anywhere, Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "We will pursue the facts and obtain the most harsh possible penalty for the author of this heinous act, which stole two beautiful young people of a bright future together."
"From the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Rodriguez purportedly opened fire on the victims as they were exiting a reception held by the American Jewish Committee that brought together Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community. The two victims were employees of the Israeli Embassy. One was an Israeli national and a government guest of the US," stated the US Department of Justice.
"Surveillance video allegedly captures Rodriguez walking by the victims before turning and shooting multiple times. After the victims were down, he allegedly kept shooting at point-blank range, including as one tried to crawl away from him. Investigators found a 9mm handgun and 21 spent shell casings on the scene," the statement continued.
As per the official statement, Rodriguez had entered the Museum after having committed the killings; and witnesses and videotape testimony supposedly identified him. He had taken a flight from Chicago to Washington the previous day with the gun declared in his checked bag.
The case is under investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia with the assistance of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice," the statement said.