Synagogue shooting shakes Pittsburgh

Eleven Jewish worshippers were killed Saturday morning during a 20-minute attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

They’re calling it the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Forty-six-year-old long-haul trucker Robert Bowers stormed into the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue around 9:46 am Saturday morning. Authorities say he was shouting hate towards Jews as he came inside, and soon began shooting.

After Pittsburgh police arrived, they found victims already dead inside. First responders got wounded survivors to safety even as they were being fired upon. Two city policemen and two SWAT members were injured in the shootout, but they have not been formally identified. While all four were sent to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, two have already been released, but two are still being treated, one in stable condition and another in intensive care.

Bowers was also injured in the shootout and was taken to court in a wheelchair Monday morning. He is charged with 29 criminal counts, including 11 federal hate-crime charges and another 11 counts of using a firearm to kill. Prosecutors have noted that they are seeking the death penalty. This takes the approval of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but President Donald Trump has already shown support: “When people do this, they should get the death penalty,” Trump said.

Bowers has posted multiple anti-semitic videos on his social media. His latest video was accusing the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) of bringing “invaders in that kill our people.” We don’t know who he refers to when saying “our people.” Bowers has also written about his conspiracy theories and his opposition to the migrant caravan.

Trump traveled to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to “express the support of the American people and grieve with the Pittsburgh community.” After hearing of the shooting, Trump said that an armed guard could have prevented the tragedy. “If they had protection inside, the results would have been far better,” the president said. “Maybe it could have been a very much different situation,” he said.

As Pittsburgh continues to grieve the loss of those 11 people, we hope to be there for their community. Prayers are flowing in from the Chapman community along with the rest of the country while Pittsburgh heals from this tragedy.