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Tributes for the 11 peopled killed in a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue

TRIBUTES have poured in after the brutal slaying of at least 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue after a gunman opened fire saying “all Jews must die” in an anti-semitic attack.

Hate crime charges have been filed after the attack which the Anti-Defamation League said was the deadliest on the Jewish community in US history.

Police arrested Robert Bowers who is suspected of carrying yesterday morning’s shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in a racially motivated attack.

Mr Bowers has made alleged anti-semitic comments in a string of social media posts and claimed that Jews were helping transport members of the migrant caravans that have been making their way across Central America to flee violence and poverty.

He repeatedly branded them “invaders,” echoing the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump whose policies and language have been held responsible for creating a climate of fear and fuelling hate crimes.

Co-president of the New Light Congregation which uses the Tree of Life synagogue Stephen Cohen said: “When you spew hate speech, people act on it. It’s very simple, and this is the result. A lot of people senselessly dead.”

Mr Trump branded the act pure evil, although suggested the synagogue should have had armed guards.

“If they had protection inside, the results would have been far better. If they had some kind of a protection inside the temple, maybe it would have been a much different situation,” he said.

Authorities have charged Mr Bowers with 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder and multiple counts of hate crimes, specifically obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.

US attorney Scott Brady said: "The actions of Robert Bowers represent the worst of humanity,” and confirmed he could face the death penalty if found guilty of hate crimes.

The Hebrew Immigration Aid Society said in a statement: “There are no words to express how devastated we are by the events in Pittsburgh this morning. This loss is our loss, and our thoughts are with the Tree of Life Congregation, our local partner Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) of Pittsburgh, the city of Pittsburgh and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. 

“As we try to process this horrifying tragedy, we pray that the American Jewish community and the country can find healing.”

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