Accused gunman in deadly DC Jewish museum shooting now faces death penalty

WASHINGTON (7News) — The man accused of ambushing and killing two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., could now face the death penalty if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that her office is seeking the death penalty against Elias Rodriguez in a news conference on Friday.

RELATED | Elias Rodriguez pleads not guilty to new terrorism charges in DC Jewish museum shooting

“Just this morning, before I came here, we filed notice that my office will seek death against the defendant, Elias Rodriguez, for the killing of two young Israeli Embassy staff members at the Capitol Jewish Museum,” Pirro said.

Pirro used this announcement to punctuate a warning against “anyone who seeks to commit political violence” in D.C.

“You will be held accountable and you will face the full wrath of the law,” she said.

This announcement comes a little more than a month after Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to new terrorism-related charges. The new charges were added to the existing hate crime and premeditated murder charges he also pleaded not guilty to in September.

Rodriguez is accused of killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim last May