BREAKING: DC 'free Palestine' shooting suspect charged with first-degree murder, praised Luigi Mangione, posted 'Death to America': report

The man accused of shooting a couple from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC this week reportedly posted praise for Luigi Mangione and wrote "death to America," as well as "I voted for Hamas" on social media. He has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. 

A criminal complaint states that Elias Rodriguez, 30, has been charged with murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, as well as two counts of first-degree murder. 

According to the New York Post, federal authorities are working to connect a social media account reportedly linked to Rodriguez, law enforcement sources told the outlet. Rodriuez, a socialist activist and yelled "Free, free Palestine" as police were taking him into custody, was arrested for the killing of Yaron Lischinsky as well as his girlfriend Sarah Lynn Milgrim. The couple was set to get engaged next week.

Posts from the X account have praised Luigi Mangione as the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as well as other political violence. The social media account, with the handle of @kyotoleather, posted at the beginning of 2024, “Happy New Year. Death To Israel."

One post claimed that “80% of the country applauds the targeted annihilation of a healthcare insurance exec," apparently arguing to support Mangione's actions. When Trump won in November, the account posted to X, "Don't blame me, I voted for Hamas."

Another post from December 2024 stated, "Violence does not have to happen, but if it does, then it should.” In another post, the account wrote, “De@th 2 Amerikkka.”

Deputy Director for the FBI Dan Bongino wrote in a post regarding the investigation into Rodriguez that authorities were trying to authenticate writings. "The FBI is aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect, and we hope to have updates as to the authenticity very soon," he wrote.

Authorities said that Rodriguez was seen outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC and then approached a group, shooting the couple at point-blank range.

He repeatedly yelled “Free, free Palestine as he was taken into custody. “Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offense,” Police Chief Pamela Smith said.