11 killed after attacker yells “All Jews must die” in Synagogue
In one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in modern US history, at least 11 people have been murdered by a man opened fire in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
AT least 11 people have been murdered by a man opened fire in a synagogue on Saturday morning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
It is one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in modern US history.
The perpetrator began his attack shortly after the beginning of services.
He surrendered to the police after a shootout, declaring to them that “all these Jews need to die” and other antisemitic slogans.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell D. Hissrich said: “It’s a very horrific crime scene. It’s one of the worst I’ve seen.”
And Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said: “The shooting in Pittsburgh this morning is an absolute tragedy.
“I have spoken with local leaders and my administration and the Pennsylvania State Police will provide any resources to assist local law enforcement and first responders.
These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need.”
The Tree of Life Synagogue sits at the heart of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill, a large Jewish community east of the city center. Over thirty police cars rushed to the scene shortly after the shooting began in the synagogue basement.
In a rare instance for American mass shooters, the synagogue killer— a white bearded male in his 40s— survived the event.
He shot three police officers before being taken into custody.
US President Donald Trump responded to the events as the shooting was still active, writing on Twitter that locals should “beware” and “remain sheltered.”
Asked about gun control after the event, Trump said that an armed guard in the synagogue would have prevented such an attack. The Department is Homeland Security already offers significant grants to security for synagogues and an armed police presence is the norm outside of Jewish temples across Europe.
The president also suggested the perpetrator deserved the death penalty and should “pay the ultimate price” for the massacre.
“It’s a terrible, terrible thing what’s going on with hate,” Trump said. “Something has to be done. The world is a violent world.”
At the scene, Jeff Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, told reporters he was saddened and despondent at the news.
“This should not be happening, period. It should not be happening in a synagogue,” Finkelstein said. “It should not be happening in our neighborhood.”
In New York, police department deployed extra resources around Jewish synagogues and community centers.
JPOST.COM
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