Suspect in shooting of Israel embassy couple faces hate crime and murder charges

Prosecutors have formally charged a suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC in May with hate crimes and first-degree murder.

Along with the nine-count indictment against Elias Rodriguez, 31, the US Department of Justice filed legal findings that could allow the death penalty to be pursued in the case.

Prosecutors say Mr Rodriguez opened fire on couple Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum before shouting "Free Palestine" during his arrest.

The defendant - who has been held in federal custody since he was arrested - has yet to enter a plea in court.

Prosecutors say Mr Rodriguez, who is from Chicago, had expressed support for violence against Israelis, including in social media posts where he allegedly wrote: "Death to Israel."

Prosecutors say he travelled from Chicago to the Washington DC area on 20 May with a handgun.

They say Mr Rodriguez researched an event on 21 May at the Capital Jewish Museum. Prosecutors allege he bought a ticket to the event, which was sponsored by the American Jewish Committee and attended by both of the victims.

The event was described as a networking opportunity to bring Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community together.

As Mr Lischinsky and Ms Milgrim left the museum, the assailant allegedly fired 20 shots and told police at the scene: "I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza."

The Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said that Mr Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring and was planning to propose to Ms Milgrim next week in Jerusalem.

Prosecutors say Mr Rodriguez wrote a document called "explication" in which he expressed his support for Palestine and claimed Israel was trying to exterminate Palestinians.

In the charging documents, prosecutors also detailed Mr Rodriguez's eligibility for the death penalty, including that he was older than 18 years of age at the time of the shooting, that he allegedly intentionally killed the victims and did so after substantial planning.