At least 11 people were killed when 46-year-old Robert Bowers opened fire at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue Saturday morning. According to witnesses on the scene, Bowers yelled “All these Jews need to die!” as he sprayed the synagogue with gunfire.
The shooting took place during a brit mila (circumcision) ceremony and over 15 people were shot, including three police officers. The Tree of Life Conservative Synagogue sits at the heart of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill, a large Jewish community east of the city center.
The gunman, Robert Bowers, was an active poster on the Gab social network, which is considered by many to be an alt-right hub. He had a history of promoting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant conspiracy theories and had recently called to exterminate the Jews. In his bio section, Bowers wrote that “jews are the children of satan. (john 8:44) — —- the lord jesus christ is come in the flesh.”
Following Saturday’s attack on the synagogue, Bowers engaged in a shootout with responding police officers and barricaded himself inside the building before eventually surrendering.
Police report that he was injured and crawling when taken into custody.
“The shooting in Pittsburgh this morning is an absolute tragedy,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.
“I have spoken with local leaders and my administration and the Pennsylvania State Police will provide any resources to assist local law enforcement and first responders. These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need.”
Jeff Finkelstein, the president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, told CNN: “My heart goes out to all these families. This should not be happening, period. It should not be happening in a synagogue, it should not be happening in our neighborhood in Squirrel Hill.”
Israeli officials reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (Likud) is closely following the situation in Pittsburgh.
“I was heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue today,” said the prime minister.
“The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead. We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh… and we all pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded.”
The shooting was also condemned by Jewish Agency Chairman Yitzḥak Herzog.
“A terrible massacre during the Shabbat service at the Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Pittsburgh,” said Herzog.
“We at the Jewish Agency are sore and distressed by the disaster of the warm Jewish community of Pittsburgh. The Jewish Agency is ready to assist in any way to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and expresses its deep sorrow over the loss of life and the injury to the wounded.”
Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) announced Saturday night that he would depart immediately to Pittsburgh following the attack.
“When Jews are murdered in Pittsburgh, the people of Israel feel pain,” Bennett said.
“All Israel are responsible for one another. The State of Israel is deeply pained by this terrible anti-Semitic murder. Our Jewish brothers and sisters came under a murderous attack while at prayer. Our hearts go out to the families of those killed, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured, as we pray this is the last such event. Jewish blood is not free.”
Bennet is expected to visit the scene of the attack, meet the local community and participate in the funerals of those killed.
