More details emerging about gunman in deadly synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh

"We will not try to rationalize irrational behavior."

• Katie Meyer
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Katie Meyer was WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief from 2016-2020. While at WITF, she covered all things state politics for public radio stations throughout Pennsylvania. Katie came to Harrisburg by way of New York City, where she worked at Fordham University’s public radio station, WFUV, as an anchor, general assignment reporter, and co-host of an original podcast. A 2016 graduate of Fordham, she earned several awards for her work at WFUV, including four 2016 Gracies.
  
  Katie is a native New Yorker, though she originally hails from Troy, a little farther up the Hudson River. She can attest that the bagels are still pretty good there.
  
  WITF's Capitol Bureau Chief Desk is partially funded through generous gifts made in the memory of Tony May through the Anthony J. May Memorial Fund.
  
  For more information about Tony May, click here.

 Keith Srakocic/The Associated Press

People embrace along the street in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh where a shooter opened fire during services at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

(Pittsburgh) — Details are still coming out about the path of the alleged gunman who killed 11 people and wounded six others at a Pittsburgh synagogue yesterday.

But, it’s clear from Robert Bowers’ social media activity and his comments to police officers at the scene, he was fueled by anti-Semitic fervor.

Calls started coming in to police from the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill shortly before 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

According to court reports, that’s when 46-year-old Robert Gregory Bowers began shooting.

The documents show officers found Bowers on the third floor. He shot two of them multiple times and told an officer, “I just want to kill Jews.”

A total of four officers were wounded.

Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press

A SWAT team arrives at the Tree of Life Synagogue inPittsburgh, Pa. where a shooter opened fire injuring multiple people, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

He was carrying an AR-15 rifle and three handguns.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has been quick to call for tighter gun laws.

“In Pittsburgh, we’re pragmatic. And we find solutions for problems,” he told reporters during a press conference.

He noted guns are the common denominator in all mass shootings.

“We will not try to rationalize irrational behavior. We will not try to figure out ways in order to lessen the degree of crimes such as this,” he said. “We will work to eradicate it.”

Governor Tom Wolf also condemned “dangerous weapons.”

But President Donald Trump has said armed guards at the synagogue might have been a good solution.