DC Jewish Museum suspected terrorist Elias Rodriguez fired nearly 2 dozen shots as gunned-down victim tried to crawl away: affidavit, sources
The suspected terrorist who opened fire on two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, DC, unleashed nearly two dozen rounds at the soon-to-be-engaged couple — with victim Sarah Milgrim attempting to crawl away after collapsing to the ground, according to sources and court documents.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, was caught on surveillance footage firing several shots at Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Milgrim, 26, before they both collapsed outside the Capital Jewish Museum late Wednesday, according to an arrest affidavit.
The Chicago native leaned over the bullet-riddled couple and continued firing, then followed Milgrim as she made a desperate attempt to escape, shooting her again, charging documents showed.
Rodriguez was seen reloading his weapon before opening fire on Milgrim once more.
Law enforcement sources told The Post the alleged maniac fired at least 21 shots during the cold-blooded killings, using a high-end German-designed H&K 9mm pistol – which he purchased years ago.
It is unclear how many times the victims were shot.
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Sources also said the accused assassin — who is well known to Chicago police as a left-wing rabble-rouser at various protests dating back years — flew into the nation’s capital on a United Airlines flight, during which he checked and declared the firearm.
Rodriguez was charged with first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence in federal court on Thursday.
He appeared in court wearing a white jumpsuit and told the judge he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the hate-fueled attack — for which he faces multiple life sentences and the death penalty.
“This is a complicated case,” federal prosecutor Jeffrey Nestler said at the end of the hearing, noting that there is a substantial amount of evidence and numerous witnesses tied to the gruesome crime scene.
Lischinsky and Milgrim, who worked together out of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, were executed in the street just after 9 p.m. as they left the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception.
Witnesses to the barbaric double slaying described seeing a distressed Rodriguez pacing outside the museum just moments before the gunfire rang out.
When police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, “Free Palestine,” witnesses and police said, with footage showing the shooter — wearing a suit jacket and slacks — being hauled away in cuffs.
Investigators are currently probing a motive behind the horrific antisemitic bloodshed, with cops homing in on a 900-word manifesto bearing Rodriguez’s name that started circulating online immediately after his arrest, sources said.
Rodriguez is due back in court on June 18 for a preliminary hearing.
