[ad_1]
PITTSBURGH (REUTERS) – A gunman killed at least 8 people and injured in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue during Sabbath religious services on Saturday (Oct. 27), and a suspect was in custody in a possible hate crime, local authorities and media reported .
A "bearded heavy-set white male" was in custody, KDKA television said, citing police sources saying the gunman walked into the building and yelled "All Jews must die".
Responding officers "received fire" and three officers were injured, KDKA said, but it was not clear when they were counted among the 12 injured.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, who was at the scene of the local media shooting, said in a tweet: "We are providing local first responders with whatever help they need."
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it was treating multiple patients at UPMC Presbyterian.
Earlier, a police commander said the shooting resulted in "multiple casualties."
Police surrounded the Tree of Life synagogue after reports of an active shooter at the building in the city Squirrel Hill neighborhood, local TV news images showed.
"Do not come out of your home right now, it is not safe," Pittsburgh Police Commander Jason Lando warned local residents, in an impromptu news conference at the scene.
The synagogue was held at a shabbat religious service that started at 9.45am (9.45pm Singapore time), according to the organization's website. Sam Schachner, president of the Tree of Life, said in a phone call.
Michael Eisenberg, president of the synagogue, told KDKA that the police were normally only present at the synagogue for security on high holidays.
"We have day like today, the door is open, it's a religious service, you can walk in and out," he said.
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive officer of the Anti-Defemation League, called the shooting an "anti-Semitic attack."
Around the time of the shooting, three congregations would be using the building, Eisenberg said.
The congregation would be about 40 people present, another group meeting for Sabbath services in the basement would have 30 to 40 people and a third would have about 15 people. A common atrium area would be busy with people milling around, he added.
Most of the congregants were older people, according to a rabbi interviewed by local media.
Local TV news footage shows the police at the helmets and other tactical gear. Paramedics were also stationed near the synagogue and police vehicles were blocking some streets in the area.
Shortly after reports of the shooting emerged, US President Donald Trump said in a tweet he was watching what he described as a "devastating" situation.
Trump told reporters in the morning the killings might have been an armed guard in the building.
"If they had some kind of protection, they could not have been a lot more different, they did not," he said.
The Tree of Life synagogue describes itself as a conservative congregation that is traditional, progressive and egalitarian.
[ad_2]
Source link
