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.

Washington Post reporter Keith Alexander asked Pirro at the press conference, “I’m sorry, Keith Alexander, Washington Post. Were you thinking of the death penalty? Can you talk a little bit about that? And also, the night of May 20th, any idea where he stayed at all?”

“I think — I think that we have an idea of that, but let me just say that, you know, the president and the Attorney General have both indicated that, you know, in cases where the death penalty is warranted and seems appropriate, we will use it. It’s far too early to say whether that is the case. But this is a death penalty-eligible case,” Pirro said.

“Two families are now left to grieve for dreams that will never be realized. And as I speak right now, there is an individual who is being presented in court and charged with various crimes. Thirty-one-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, is now charged by complaint after his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharp,” Pirro added.

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