Chicago Activist Charged in Fatal Israel Embassy Shooting
Chicago Activist Charged in Fatal Israel Embassy Shooting
WASHINGTON – Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Chicago resident, has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two Israeli Embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. Rodriguez, who was known for his activism against police violence and corporate power in Chicago, allegedly confessed to the crime, stating, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” according to court documents.
Background and Activism
Prior to the shooting, Rodriguez was active in Chicago’s left-wing protest scene, participating in demonstrations against police brutality and the city’s bid to host a new Amazon headquarters. He had no apparent criminal record. He lived a modest life, working as an administrative assistant and expressing his views on social media, where he had recently become increasingly vocal about the war in Gaza.
Rodriguez’s online posts highlighted his anger towards Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for retaliation and characterizing the situation as genocide. He displayed a photo of Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Muslim boy killed in Chicago shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel, emphasizing his sensitivity towards the Palestinian cause.
Political Affiliations and the Party for Socialism and Liberation
Rodriguez had a brief association with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), a left-wing political organization. While the PSL denied any ongoing connection with Rodriguez, they acknowledged his past involvement and distanced themselves from the shooting, stating, “We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting.”
Despite this, social media accounts linked to Rodriguez continued to post pro-Palestinian statements and shared speeches by Hassan Nasrallah, a prominent leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, just hours before the shooting, Rodriguez’s X account, using a name variation, posted “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,” along with an essay signed with his name, expressing his outrage over the death toll in Gaza and justifying “armed demonstration.”
Employer Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Rodriguez’s employer, the American Osteopathic Information Association, expressed shock at the news and pledged cooperation with the investigation. The FBI is currently investigating the matter, and it remains unclear if Rodriguez was under surveillance before the shooting.
