The Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack: What We Know

VOA News

A gunman opened fire inside Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday during morning services, killing 11 people and wounding six more, including four police officers.

The suspect in custody is identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers, who shouted «all Jews must die» as he opened fire.

The Anti-Defamation League described the mayhem as «likely the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.»

Pittsburgh Director of Public Safety Wendell Hissrich says the scene inside the synagogue was «horrific. One of the worst that I’ve seen.»

The FBI is handling the investigation as a hate crime. Bowers was charged with 11 counts of criminal homicide, six counts of aggravated assault and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation.

Blood donation banks in Pittsburgh extended their hours for people who wanted to donate.

New York and Los Angeles added extra security precautions around houses of worship as news of the carnage became known.

President Donald Trump deplored the attack, saying, «The vile, hate-filled poison of anti-Semitism must be condemned.»

Trump suggested the U.S. «stiffen» its death penalty laws in response to the crime.