Synagogue shooting suspect faces 44 counts
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers was officially charged Wednesday in a 44-count indictment accusing him of heinous hate crimes in the murders of 11 people killed during a worship service.
After storming into the Tree of Life synagogue heavily armed with Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle Saturday, Bowers, 46, made clear his desire to “kill Jews” before opening fire on the assembly, gunning down parishioners that included a 97-yearold woman, authorities said.
Six others were also wounded in what was described as the deadliest attack on Jews in the U.S.
“Today begins the process of seeking justice for the victims of these hateful acts, and healing for the victims’ families, the Jewish community, and our city,” U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said.
“Our office will spare no resource, and will work with professionalism, integrity and diligence, in a way that honors the memories of the victims.”
Charges against Bowers, a truck driver with a litany of anti-Semitic social media posts, include obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death, and using a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence.
He also faces charges of attempting to kill people exercising their religious beliefs, and civil rights charges related to injuring several police officers who responded to the attack.
“These alleged crimes are incomprehensibly evil and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said .
“Therefore this case is not only important to the victims and their loved ones, but to the city of Pittsburgh and the entire nation.”
Bowers, who was wounded during a gun battle with police who responded, could face the death penalty if convicted.
Authorities said Bowers’ hate fest did not end with his arrest.
As grieving families prepared for funerals, the hospitalized suspect continued making comments about wanting to kill Jews, even though some of the nurses and doctors who treated him were Jewish, according to hospital officials.
Bowers was released from the hospital hours before his first court appearance Monday. He remained jailed without bail.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s devastated Jewish community endured a second day of funerals for victims of the hateful rampage. Melvin Wax, 87, and Irving Younger, 69, were among the victims being laid to rest Wednesday.