At least 11 die during synagogue shooting after gunman yells: ‘ All Jews must die’
Suspect surrendered after shootout with police
At least 11 people have died after a gunman opened fire on a Pittsburgh synagogue in the worst anti-semitic atrocity on US soil.
Twelve people – including four police officers – were also reported injured following the attack at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue yesterday at around 10am local time.
Suspect Robert Bowers, 46, was in custody last night after what has been described as a “wicked act of mass murder” and “pure evil”.
Local media said Bowers, a white male with a beard, burst in during a baby naming ceremony and indiscriminately fired while shouting “All Jews must die”. It was reported that his social media accounts were filled with anti-semitic comments.
President Donald Trump caused outrage with his comments after the shooting when he said: “If there had been an armed guard inside the temple they would have been able to stop him.”
Critics slammed the President, pointing out that four armed police officers had been shot during the ensuing shootout.
Trump told reporters it was “little to do” with gun laws and the outcome at the Pittsburgh synagogue could have been different.
Before boarding Air Force One, Trump said: “They had a maniac walk in and they didn’t have any protection and that is just so sad to see. The results could have been much better.”
However, countering Trump’s view, former President Barack Obama said:
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Anyone that does a thing like this should suffer the ultimate price
First Lady Melania Trump said Americans will stand up in the face of such atrocities. She said: “America is stronger than the acts of a depraved bigot and anti- Semite. All good Americans stand with the Jewish people to oppose acts of terror.”
Last night, evidence of the shooter’s state of mind began to emerge. Bowers regularly spouted on social media about his hatred of Trump and Jews.
He had an active gun licence and has bought six firearms since 1996 and was carrying an assault rifle and three handguns during the attack. Less than an hour before he arrived at the synagogue and started shooting, Bowers, who is not thought to be married, posted this chilling message on the site: “I’m going in”.
He was enraged by HIAS, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society, which helps Jewish migrants settle in the US, which he accused of bringing “invaders in that kill our people”.
He wrote: “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.”