Multiple Fatalities in Shooting at Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Shooter in Custody

Today a shooter invaded the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shouting anti-Semitic statements and firing at worshipers. Local news reports that eight are dead; CNN reports only four confirmed dead.

The shooter is in custody, according to law enforcement, and was wounded in a shoot-out with police on the third floor of the building. During that exchange, two police officers were also wounded, though the extent of those injuries is not known.

Pittsburgh SWAT stormed the building to stop the shooter and take him into custody.

Worshipers were on-site at the conservative synagogue Saturday for morning services, and there was reportedly a bris this morning.

CNN reports that in total 12 people were shot, not including the shooter.

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES

Below is the live news feed from local station KDKA.

UPDATES
At around noon, CNN reported that police have confirmed the shooter was “a white male with a white beard” but released no name. The local CBS affiliate had an on-screen report with a suspect name, but the cable networks are not reporting a name. Until there is more confirmation we will not report it either.

Here is an update from Pittsburgh’s mayor:

Actor is in custody. Multiple casualties. Three Officers have been shot. Area is NOT secure. All residents required to stay inside their homes until further notice.

— bill peduto (@billpeduto) October 27, 2018

12:19 p.m.
NYPD deploying extra protection in NYC as a precaution.

Following the shooting in PA, we are deploying heavy weapons teams as well as @NYPDCT & @NYPDSpecialops officers to houses of worship across the city. Currently, there is no nexus to NYC but we ask that you remain alert and If you see anything suspicious contact
888-NYC-SAFE.

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 27, 2018

1:50 p.m.

The suspect has been identified by multiple news sources as Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old resident of Pittsburgh. According to Heavy:

An hour before the shooting, Bowers wrote on a social media site, Gab, “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.” HIAS is the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society that helps refugees.

Bowers reportedly shouted “All Jews must die” during his shooting rampage.