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District of Columbia Attorney General: Israeli Embassy employee killer deserves death penalty VIDEO

30-year-old Elias Rodriguez charged with first-degree murder

The charges filed last night against 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in the US capital, Washington, "carry the death penalty" under the criminal code, said District of Columbia Attorney General Janine Piro, quoted by Reuters and BTA.

Yaron Liszinski and Sarah Milgrim were shot late Wednesday night after leaving an event at the Jewish Museum.

Piro said a preliminary hearing in the case for the two murders is scheduled for June 18. She noted at a briefing with media representatives that at his first court appearance yesterday, the accused waived his right to a hearing regarding his detention.

Rodriguez fired a gun at four people, Reuters recalls. He chanted "Freedom for Palestine" when he was arrested.

In addition to first-degree murder, he is also charged with murder of foreign officials, causing death by firearm and using a firearm in a crime involving violence, the world agency added.