At least 10 killed in ‘sickening’ synagogue gun attack in Pittsburgh
THERESA May has joined international condemnation after a gunman opened fire in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing at least 10 people.
At least six other people – four of them police officers – were wounded in the attack during a baby-naming ceremony at the Tree of Life Congregation.
May said in a statement: “I’m deeply shocked by the reports of a shooting at a synagogue in the US today.
“Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and all those affected by this sickening and cowardly act.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “My thoughts are with those killed or injured in this horrific act of anti- semitic violence, and with their loved ones. We must stand together against hate and terror.”
Police said last night that a suspect – identified as Robert Bowers, said to be in his 40s – was in custody after the attack. City officials said the shooting was being investigated as a federal hate crime.
It comes amid a r aft of high-profile attacks in an increasingly divided country, including the series of pipe bombs mailed over the past week to prominent Democrats and former officials.
The shooting also immediately reignited t he longstanding national debate about guns with President Donald Trump saying synagogues and churches should have armed guards.
However, Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, said: “We have been saying ‘this one is too many’ for far too long. Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm’s way.”
Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh public safety director, said: “It is a very horrific crime scene. It was one of the worst that I’ve seen. It is very bad.”
The attack took place during a baby naming ceremony, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. It was unknown whether the baby was harmed in the attack.
The synagogue is located at the intersection of Wilkins and Shady avenues. The tree-lined residential area, about 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, is the hub of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. Before the suspect was taken into custody, the neighbourhood and all synagogues in the city were in a lockdown with people ordered to remain indoors.
Trump called the shooting “far more devastating than anyone thought”, saying: “It’s a terrible thing what’s going on with hate in our country.”
He also said the outcome might have been different if the synagogue “had some kind of protection” from an armed guard and suggested that might be a good idea for all churches and synagogues.
London mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his condolences to the victims while seeking to reassure the capital’s Jewish community.
“Synagogues and all places of worship should be sanctuaries,” he said. “London stands with the congregation of the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh – you are in our thoughts and prayers.”
It’s a terrible thing what’s going on with hate in our country