Pittsburgh synagogue shooter yelled anti-Semitic slur before attack: report

The suspect who opened fire at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday reportedly yelled an anti-Semitic slur before he began shooting in the place of worship.

Police sources told local CBS News affiliate KDKA that the unidentified gunman shouted “all Jews must die” before he opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

{mosads}At least eight people were confirmed killed in the shooting, with as many as 12 injured, according to NBC News. The shooter was reportedly injured and taken into custody by authorities, though the extent of his injuries are unknown.  

KDKA reported that three separate services were being held Saturday at the synagogue when the shooting occurred, meaning that dozens of people could be found throughout different parts of the building.

“In the main part of the building, The Tree of Life has a service that has about 40 people in it. Just below that there is a basement area where new life congregation would have been having their Shabbat service. There would have been 30-40 people,” said Michael Eisenberg, Tree of Life’s former president.

“Just adjacent to Tree of Life’s service area, a congregation was in the rabbi study room and they would have had approximately 15 people in there,” he added.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said in a statement that the attack was a “senseless” act of violence and a “tragedy” for the Pittsburgh community.

“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 governor wrote in a statement shortly after the attack.

“We must all pray and hope for no more loss of life,” Wolf continued, adding: “But we have been saying ‘this one is too many’ for far too long. Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm’s way. And in the aftermath of this tragedy, we must come together and take action to prevent these tragedies in the future.”