Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, could face the death penalty if found guilty.
During a press conference, Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Rodriguez, 31, is accused of two charges of first-degree murder, other crimes involving firearms, and the federal capital offense of murdering foreign officials.
If convicted of either of the first two offenses, he could face the death penalty. A first-degree murder conviction carries a minimum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison under D.C. law.
Rodriguez will be detained without bond pending trial after he forfeited his right to a detention hearing. On June 18, he was told to return to court for a preliminary hearing.
