2018 — Oct 27, Mass Shooting, Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh, PA — 11
–11 Washington Examiner. “Sessions: Death penalty possible in hate crime…massacre.” 10-27-2018.
–10 AP. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: At least 10 dead; suspect in custody.” 10-27-2018.
— 8 Kellar. “At least 8 dead, officers shot, in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.” Pennlive. 10-27-2018.
Narrative Information
Oct 17: “Police from across Pittsburgh are responding to an active shooter situation at The Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill section of the city. At least seven people have been confirmed dead, but that toll could be higher KDKA reports. Police have warned residents to stay inside, as they have exchanged gunfire with the gunman. The gunman, after negotiations with police, has since surrendered.
“The man reportedly walked through the building indiscriminately shooting people, and said “all Jews must die,” according to KDKA’s live report.
“Saturday mornings are when Shabbat is observed in the Jewish faith and is typically a busy time at synagogues.
“Responding officers arrived on the scene when the gunman opened fire, sending officers behind their vehicles for cover, KDKA reports….
“The tree-lined residential neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, about 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, has a heavily Jewish population….” (Kellar. Travis. “At least 8 dead, officers shot, in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.” Pennlive.com. 10-27-2018.)
Oct 17: “Eight people were killed and at least six more were injured — including four police officers — when a gunman opened fire at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning, authorities said. “It’s a very horrific crime scene,” Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich told reporters during the press conference Saturday afternoon. “It’s one of the worst that I’ve seen.”
“Police responded earlier this morning to reports of active gunfire at the Tree of Life… congregation, where a service was taking place, Hissrich said. The suspect is in custody and has been taken to the hospital, Hissrich said, and it appears there is no longer any active threat to the community.
“The congregants were attending a baby-naming ceremony in the synagogue, Pennsylvania’s state attorney general told the Associated Press.
“Since the incident happened at a synagogue, it is being treated as a federal hate crime and will be handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with the assistance of local, county and state police, he added.
“First responders prevented the shooting from becoming a worse tragedy, and the injured have been taken to three area hospitals with level one trauma centers, Hissrich said….
“The synagogue is a conservative Jewish congregation, according to its website, and there was a morning Shabbat service scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to noon.
“Berkun [Rabbi Alvin Berkun] said there are “three different religious groups that are meeting in our building on Saturday morning with three distinct services,” estimating that there could have been approximately 75 people in the building at the time. Hissrich declined during the press conference to say how many people were inside at the time….
“Speaking to reporters before boarding a flight for an event in Indiana, President Donald Trump called the attack “a shame,” calling the suspect “a wacko” and a “maniac.” He also said the suspect should “pay the ultimate price” and be subjected to the death penalty. When asked about whether the nation’s gun laws should be changed, Trump said the synagogue should have had armed security there. “You want protection, and they didn’t have any protection, they had a maniac walk in,” Trump said. “The results could have been much better.”….” (ABC News/Kaelyn Forde and Jack Date. “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting claims 8 lives; 4 officers among multiple wounded, officials say.” 10-27-2018.)
Oct 27: “Pittsburgh….Two law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Robert D. Bowers, 46. The officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation. Social media activity linked to Mr. Bowers suggested a history of virulent anti-Semitism, filled with slurs and references to anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.
“Erika Strassburger, the city councilwoman for the district that includes the synagogue, the Tree of Life Congregation, said Mr. Bowers surrendered to the police after being barricaded in the building and was taken to the hospital.
“Wendell D. Hissrich, Pittsburgh’s public safety director, said four police officers were among the injured. He said those injured were in serious or critical conditions and taken to three hospitals….
“In January, an account linked to Mr. Bowers was created on Gab, a social network that bills itself as a haven for free speech. The app, which grew out of claims of anti-conservative bias on Facebook and Twitter, is a popular gathering place for alt-right activists and white nationalists whose views are unwelcome on other services. Early members included the right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulous and Andrew Anglin, the founder of the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer website. Mr. Bowers’s Gab feed was dominated by references to Jews and Judaism. Several weeks ago, Mr. Bowers’ account posted a link to the website of HIAS, a Jewish nonprofit organization that helps resettle refugees, which was planning a shabbat ceremony for refugees in locations around the country. The caption read: ‘Why hello there HIAS! You like to bring in hostile invaders to dwell among us?’ And hours before the shooting, the account posted again: ‘HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.’….
“Joseph Miksch, a University of Pittsburgh spokesman, said three individuals were in surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian hospital, and a fourth was awaiting surgery. One person was treated and released earlier from the hospital. Another person was in surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Mercy hospital. All of the victims had gunshot wounds, Mr. Miksch said….
“Mr. Mahler[1] said that on Saturday mornings there are three services at the Tree of Life, one led by the Tree of Life congregation, another led by the Or L’Simcha congregation and another led by the New Light Congregation….
“Shortly before 11 a.m., residents could still hear loud pops of gunfire. The authorities told residents to stay inside….” (NYT. “Gunman Identified in Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting…” 10-27-2018.)
Oct 27: “Pittsburgh (AP) — shooter opened fire during a baby naming ceremony at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, and people with knowledge of the investigation said at least 10 people were killed. At least six other people were wounded, including four police officers who dashed to the scene, authorities said….
“In 2010, Tree of Life Congregation — founded more than 150 years ago — merged with Or L’Simcha to form Tree of Life (asterisk) Or L’Simcha.
“The synagogue is a fortress-like concrete building, its facade punctuated by rows of swirling, modernistic stained-glass windows illustrating the story of creation, the acceptance of God’s law, the “life cycle” and “how human-beings should care for the earth and one another,” according to its website. Among its treasures is a “Holocaust Torah,” rescued from Czechoslovakia. Its sanctuary can hold up to 1,250 guests….
“Jeff Finkelstein of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said local synagogues have done “lots of training on things like active shooters, and we’ve looked at hardening facilities as much as possible.”….” (Associated Press. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: At least 10 dead; suspect in custody.” 10-27-2018.)
Oct 27: “The Department of Justice will be filing hate crimes and other criminal charges against the man accused of killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, a move that could result in him receiving the death penalty, according to a statement from Attorney General Jeff Sessions….” (Washington Examiner. “Sessions: Death penalty possible in hate crime synagogue massacre.” 10-27-2018.)
Oct 28: “….The Department of Justice charged Bowers with 29 federal counts, including 11 counts of obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the charges could lead to the death penalty. Bowers, who was injured during the shootout with police, underwent surgery and remains hospitalized. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday.
“Bowers burst into the Tree of Life Congregation Saturday morning and fired inside while expressing his hatred toward Jewish people, according to a charging document made public Sunday [Oct 28]. It said the statements continued during his gunfight with police, with Bowers telling one officer: “They’re committing genocide to my people. I just want to kill Jews.” Bowers was armed with an AR-15 and three handguns during the 20-minute assault….
“Authorities have identified the 11 people killed in Saturday’s mass shooting. The ages of the victims ranged from 54 to 97.
- David Rosenthal, 54, of Squirrel Hill (Cecil’s brother)
- Cecil Rosenthal, 59, of Squirrel Hill
- Richard Gottfried, 65, of Ross Township
- Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, of Edgewood Borough
- Irving Younger, 69, of Mt. Washington, City of Pittsburgh
- Daniel Stein, 71, of Squirrel Hill
- Joyce Fienberg, 75, of Oakland, City of Pittsburgh
- Bernice Simon, 84, of Wilkinsburg
- Sylvan Simon, 86, of Wilkinsburg (Bernice’s husband)
- Melvin Wax, 88, of Squirrel Hill
- Rose Mallinger, 97, of Squirrel Hill
“Robert Bowers was charged with 11 counts of criminal homicide and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation, which are hate crimes, according to the Allegheny County Criminal Complaint. The criminal complaint said Bowers was charged with ethnic intimidation due to his own words. According to the criminal complaint against Bowers, he told a SWAT operator while receiving medical treatment that he wanted “all Jews to die” and that he believed Jews were “committing genocide to his people.”….
“The Department of Justice announced late Saturday that 29 federal charges had been filed against suspect Robert Bowers, including 11 counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death; 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence; four counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer and three counts of use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence….
“President Trump continued with a rally in Illinois on Saturday night, comparing it the re-opening of the New York Stock Exchange after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Mr. Trump incorrectly said that NYSE opened “the day after 9/11,” although it was actually closed for six days after the terrorist attack….”We have our lives,” Mr. Trump said. “We have our schedules. And nobody’s going to change it. So we’re here. And let’s have a good time. And if you don’t mind, I’m going to tone it down just a little bit.”
“Sunday’s shooting in Pittsburgh is likely the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in U.S. history, said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)….
“Police give first timeline of attack. Police received calls regarding an active shooter at 9:54 a.m. on Saturday. Officers were sent to the shooting scene one minute later. The suspected gunman, Robert Bowers, spent 20 minutes inside the synagogue before police arrived, FBI Special Agent Robert Jones said. When Bowers attempted to exit the building, he encountered two police officers and exchanged gunfire with them. Both of the officers were wounded, Jones said. Bowers retreated back into the building to hide from two additional officers who were arriving at the scene. The two officers engaged the suspect inside the building and one was injured. He eventually surrendered to police and was taken into custody….” (CBS News/Justin Carissimo. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect charged with 29 counts — live updates.” 10-28-2018.)
Oct 29: “Pittsburgh — Robert Bowers, the man accused of killing eleven people when he opened fire at a Pittsburgh synagogue during services Saturday morning, showed no emotion as he arrived for his first court appearance Monday wearing shackles and being pushed in a wheelchair surrounded by U.S. Marshals. Bowers, 46, was charged with 29 felony counts, including 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder and 11 counts of obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death. He also faces 11 state charges, including attempted homicide and aggravated assault…. He waived a reading of criminal complaints and a detention hearing and also asked to have counsel appointed for him, which the judge agreed to do. Bowers was then wheeled back out of the courtroom without saying anything beyond the short answers to the judge’s questions.
“U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said Bowers is being held without bond and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Federal prosecutors also plan to seek the death penalty, the Associated Press reported Sunday….
“Dr. Don Yealy, chairman of emergency medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said Saturday a 70-year-old man and a 55-year-old officer were in critical condition….” (NBC News/Scott Newell and Minyvonne Burke. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers makes first court appearance in wheelchair.” 10-29-2018.)
Oct 31: “At UPMC Presbyterian, a 55-year-old male officer has been discharged; a 70-year-old male is in critical condition; a 61-year-old female is in stable condition; and a 40-year-old male officer is in stable condition.” (UPMC. “UPMC Treating Synagogue Shooting Victims. Update as of 9 1.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018.)
Nov 2: “Pittsburgh….More good news for the two most seriously injured victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue attack. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said Friday that both men have been moved out of the intensive care unit. Hospital officials say a 70-year-old man has been upgraded from critical to stable condition. A 40-year-old police officer remains in stable. The officer was previously identified as Timothy Matson, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The wounded congregant is Daniel Leger, a nurse and hospital chaplain. A 61-year-old woman also remains hospitalized. UPMC says she’s in stable condition….” (Associated Press. “The Latest: Suspect’s father killed self amid ’79 rape case.” 11-2-2018.)
Sources
ABC News/Kaelyn Forde and Jack Date. “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting claims 8 lives; 4 officers among multiple wounded, officials say.” 10-27-2018. Accessed 10-27-2018 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-responding-active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue/story?id=58790381
Associated Press. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: At least 10 dead; suspect in custody.” 10-27-2018. Accessed 10-27-2018 at: https://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2018/10/pittsburgh_shooting_multiple_c.html
Associated Press. “The Latest: Suspect’s father killed self amid ’79 rape case.” 11-2-2018. Accessed 11-2-2018 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-wounded-officer-congregant-moved-icu-58924999
CBS News/Justin Carissimo. “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect charged with 29 counts — live updates.” 10-28-2018. Accessed 10-28-2018 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/pittsburgh-shooting-synagogue-today-suspect-robert-bowers-squirrel-hill-live-updates-2018-10-27/
Kellar. Travis. “At least 8 dead, officers shot, in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.” Pennlive.com. 10-27-2018. https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/4_dead_others_injured_in_shoot.html
NBC News (Scott Newell and Minyvonne Burke). “Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers makes first court appearance in wheelchair.” 10-29-2018. Accessed 10-29-2018 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-makes-first-court-appearance-n925751
New York Times (Campbell Robertson and Christopher Mele). “Gunman Identified in Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting…” 10-27-2018. Accessed 10-27-2018 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html
UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). “UPMC Treating Synagogue Shooting Victims. Update as of 9 1.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. Accessed 11-1-2018 at: https://www.upmc.com/media/news/103118-synagogue-shooting-stmnt
Washington Examiner. “Sessions: Death penalty possible in hate crime synagogue massacre.” 10-27-2018. Accessed 10-27-2018 at: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/prosecutors-death-penalty-possible-in-hate-crime-synagogue-massacre
[1] Rabbi emeritus at another Pittsburgh synagogue, Mark Joel Mahler.