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The gunman went to the Pittsburgh Police and was rushed to Mercy Hospital, said Curt Conrad, Chief of Staff for Councilor Corey O. Connor.
Another law enforcement official told CNN that at least 12 people had been shot dead.
Three policemen were shot dead, officials said at an impromptu press conference. We do not know if they are part of these victims.
"There are deaths," said Rich Fitzgerald, chief executive of Allegheny County.
Cmdr of the Pittsburgh Police Jason Lando Previously, there were "several victims". Officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of heavy gunfire in the synagogue, he said.
"It is imperative that the community neighbors surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue remain in their homes and be housed in a shelter," Lando said. "Do not go out of your house now, it's not safe."
Fred Rabner, a member of the synagogue, said it was "a very united community" and that everyone was calling to make sure their loved ones were doing well.
"Everyone is just upset and upset," said Rabner. "It's awful, it's just awful."
The Tree of Life synagogue is a conservative Jewish congregation, according to its website. It's in Squirrel Hill, a historic Jewish neighborhood.
The synagogue has a Shabbat service at 9:45 on Saturday, the website said.
Michael Eisenberg, outgoing president of the Tree of Life congregation, said three congregations – Tree of Life, New Light and Dor Hadash – would have organized simultaneous services in the building.
About 40 people would attend the service of the tree of life in "the main part of the building," Eisenberg said. In the basement, the service of New Light would also count between 30 and 40 people. And the Dor Hadash congregation in the rabbi's study hall would have about 15 people, he said.
President Donald Trump tweeted that he was aware of the situation in Pittsburgh and that law enforcement was on the scene.
"The people of the Squirrel Hill area should stay safe," said Trump. "It looks like a lot of dead, beware of active shooters, God bless everything!"
Pennsylvania's governor, Tom Wolf, said on Twitter that it was "a serious situation" and that the Pennsylvania state police were helping local first responders.
"It's an absolute tragedy," said Wolf in another tweet. "These senseless acts of violence are not what we are as Americans." My thoughts are currently focused on the victims, their families and on ensuring that the law enforcement agencies have necessary resources. "
The Carnegie Mellon University has issued a security advisory regarding its campus located near the synagogue.
Joe Sterling from CNN contributed to this report.
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