At least eight people are feared dead and multiple others are injured after an antisemitic gunman armed with an AR-15 opened fire on a packed Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, shouting: ‘All Jews must die’ as he sprayed worshipers with bullets.
The shooting occurred at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh shortly before 10am. The gunman, who has been described as a white man with a beard, is in custody.
Shortly before 10am, he burst through the synagogue’s doors and opened fire on the congregation on the main floor where around 40 to 50 people had gathered for a Sabbath service, shouting ‘all Jews must die!’ while spraying bullets over them.
After killing three people on the main floor, he went to downstairs, where the New Light congregation was gathering in the basement, and opened fire there.
He murdered four people there then fled upstairs where, on the third floor, he exchanged fire with SWAT teams and injured three police officers. Dor Hadash, a third, smaller group, was gathered in the rabbi’s study to the side of the Tree of Life’ s congregation.
After being injured himself in the crossfire, the antisemitic gunman surrendered to police. He is now in custody and is yet to be named.
Three cops were shot exchanging gunfire with the assailant. One was shot in the hand and did not suffer life threatening injuries. The condition of the other two officers is unknown.
President Trump has hinted that the death toll is worse than has been reported.
‘Events in Pittsburgh are far more devastating than originally thought. Spoke with Mayor and Governor to inform them that the Federal Government has been, and will be, with them all the way,’ he tweeted, adding that he would make a statement later on Saturday.
He described it as a ‘shame’ and said gun laws had ‘little to do with it’, adding that if the synagogue had security it would have been a ‘different situation’.
He praised the ‘outstanding’ law enforcement and said the gunman was able to get access when he shouldn’t have been because of the lack of security.
‘You look at the violence all over the world. It comes back in the form of a mad man, a wacko. We should stiffen up our laws in terms of the death penalty, they shouldn’t have to wait years and years.
‘I think they should stiffen up laws and bring the death penalty in to vogue,’ he said.
Saturday is one of the busiest days for the synagogue. As many as 100 people in total had gathered across the three congregations for a Sabbath service and an infant circumcision ceremony, known as a bris.
There was no security there, with former synagogue leaders describing how it operates an open door policy for worshipers.
‘On a day today the door is open you can walk in an out,’ the synagogue’s former president, Michael Eisenberg, told CBS Pittsburgh.
‘Like most religious institutions, we have an open door,’ he said.
He added that security had been a ‘major’ concern for him in the past and that he was working with the government to improve escape routes and emergency procedures.
‘It was a major concern for me, for us.
‘We were working with the DHS to evaluate exit routes, I just spoke to our maintenance person who was able to get out.
‘We were working with the other synagogues on what to do if this happened,’ he said.
He said of the building’s maintenance man: ‘He was shaken, he saw one of our congregants down, he knew, he was in the bathroom and he was able to get out of the building.’
A former rabbi said he was grateful that many of the congregants often arrived late for morning services and that he was grateful on this occasion.
‘I thought about it all the time I have to tell you when I was there I always had the thought in the back of my had unfortunately in the world we live in,’ the former rabbi said.
The area is still on lock down, with any residents living nearby told to lock their doors and not go outside.
Witnesses are still being interviewed by police at the scene.
It remains unclear if the gunman, who was wearing a green jacket and blue jeans, has been removed from the building or not.
He was ‘crawling’ and injured before he was arrested.
President Trump tweeted that he was aware of the unfolding scenario, writing: ‘Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
‘Law enforcement on the scene.
‘People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!’