DC Shooting: Suspect's Father Invited to Trump's Congress Speech

DC Shooting: Suspect's Father Invited to Trump's Congress Speech

The father of Elias Rodriguez, the suspect in the fatal shooting of an Israeli diplomat couple in Washington D.C., was invited to a congressional address by then-President Donald Trump.

Eric Rodriguez, father to Elias, had received the invitation through Democratic Representative Jesús “Chuy” García. The invitation was extended because Eric Rodriguez is an advocate for veterans' services.

Rep. García condemned the shooting as an antisemitic act and distanced himself from the family, expressing his condolences to the victims' families.

Elias Rodriguez is accused of fatally shooting Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, confessing that he did it 'for Palestine' and 'for Gaza.' An online manifesto attributed to him condemned the situation in Gaza, reportedly suggesting the killings were justified.

The 31-year-old Elias lived a seemingly normal life in Chicago before the shooting. His father, Eric, an Iraq War veteran, sought translation of an Arabic article about his son's actions after the event.