Pittsburgh shooting leaves 10 confirmed dead at synagogue, shooter screamed 'All Jews must die'

Daily Kos Staff

Saturday October 27, 2018 · 9:01 AM PDT

2018/10/27 · 09:01

screen_shot_2018-10-27_at_9.11.25_am__2_.png — Reports now indicate 8 dead, with other reports giving numbers as high as 11

Congregants near the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh were ambushed on Saturday morning by a man who opened fire with multiple weapons. According to on-scene reports, the shooter shouted “All Jews must die” as he was firing into those present.

At 11:30 ET, news reports indicate that 8 people have died, and 12 are wounded including at least 3 police officers who responded to the shooting. First reports of the shooting came in around 10:45 ET, while the web site for the Tree of Life shows that Shabbat services began at 9:45, suggesting that the gunman may have assaulted the congregation as the service was ending. Reports indicate that four people were killed on the main floor of the synagogue. The shooter then killed more people in the basement of the synagogue. One person may have been killed outside the building.

The shooter remained active for several minutes after officers appeared at the scene, but surrendered after having been wounded. Reports indicate that he was taken alive, but injured and was “crawling” when taking prisoner. Early reports are that the shooter was armed with an AR-15 style semi-automatic assault rifle, the same type of weapon used in many other mass shootings, as well as multiple handguns.

The Tree of Life Synagogue is the largest Jewish congregation in the Squirrel Hill area, which is one of the most heavily Jewish neighborhoods in the city. The statement of witnesses regarding the gunman’s shouts leaves little doubt about the purpose of this mass murder. Following the shooting, police departments in other cities, including the NYPD, ordered protection provided to synagogues and other facilities in their areas.

The suspect has been described as “a white male who has a beard.” Some reports have indicated that the shooter is a 46-year-old local resident. More information when it has been confirmed.

Saturday, Oct 27, 2018 · 4:34:22 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Pittsburgh suspect Robert Bowers posted this AM Ã¢ÂÂHIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people..IÃ¢ÂÂm going inÃ¢ÂÂ https://t.co/2T5c6xdPhC pic.twitter.com/Bj7T7E8Yzh
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) October 27, 2018

HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) is an American nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees.

Saturday, Oct 27, 2018 · 7:45:24 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The number of confirmed dead is now 10.

Local CBS News station

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MSNBC coverage

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Saturday, Oct 27, 2018 · 4:17:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Reports from those inside indicate that the gunman burst in at around 9:30 during a bris and began shooting “indiscriminately.”

Saturday, Oct 27, 2018 · 4:22:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

#BREAKING: KDKA-TV sources identify #Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting suspect as Robert Bowers. https://t.co/pGQ1he9S3J

Watch Live: https://t.co/xNFqhjaqsJ pic.twitter.com/AJ79b8jTVY
— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) October 27, 2018

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