The suspect of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, has been identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers of Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania. Bowers has been arrested and hospitalized.
The shooting occurred on Oct. 27 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood during a Shabbat religious service.
Eleven were killed and six others injured. Four officers were shot during the incident with non-fatal injuries.
It is still unclear what was the motive behind the deadly shooting. Police spokesman Chris Togneri said that the police had no more information to provide at this time as they are still trying to clear the building and figure out if there are any more active threats.
A local hospital said it was treating multiple victims in relation to the shooting. Paul Wood, the chief communications officer for the hospital system, said that the patients are receiving care at UPMC Presbyterian, but he did not reveal how many.
The synagogue was holding a Shabbat religious service that started at 9:45 a.m. ET, according to the organization’s website. Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Josh Shapiro told the press that a baby naming was being performed at the time.
The captured suspect walked in and yelled “All Jews must die” before opening fire, a police source told KDKA.
Sam Schachner, the president of Tree of Life, said in a phone call he had no comment at this time.
Israel is expressing its shock and concern, and offering assistance to the local community following the shooting.
Minister Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Cabinet minister for diaspora affairs, made the comments shortly after news of the shooting reached his country.
Bennet said he is “following the news with concern,” and has instructed Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to prepare to assist the community in every possible way.
He said: “Our hearts go out to the families of those killed and injured. May the memory of the murdered be blessed.”
Reuters and the Associated Press Contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
