Reactions Pour In After Shooting in Pittsburgh Synagogue

SQUIRREL HILL, Pa. – Police in Pittsburgh responded to the scene of an active shooter situation early Saturday morning.

In a press conference, Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich confirmed 11 people were killed after a man opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Six others were injured, four of those police officers. As of Saturday night, two people remained in critical condition.

“It’s a very horrific crime scene. It’s one of the worst I have seen and I’ve been on some plane crashes. It’s very bad,”  Hissrich said.

After being shot by police, the suspect, identified by authorities as Rob Bowers, 46, of Pittsburgh, was taken into custody at the scene. Officials say social media accounts that appear to be his are rife with anti-Semitic comments.

Reactions to the shooting almost immediately began coming in on social media.

President Donald Trump tweeted, “Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!”

Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2018

In a second tweet President Trump wrote, “Events in Pittsburgh are far more devastating than originally thought. Spoke with Mayor and Governor to inform them that the Federal Government has been, and will be, with them all the way. I will speak to the media shortly and make further statement at Future Farmers of America.”

Events in Pittsburgh are far more devastating than originally thought. Spoke with Mayor and Governor to inform them that the Federal Government has been, and will be, with them all the way. I will speak to the media shortly and make further statement at Future Farmers of America.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2018

First Lady Melania Trump tweeted, “My heart breaks over the news out of #Pittsburgh. The violence needs to stop. May God bless, guide & unite the United States of America.”

My heart breaks over the news out of #Pittsburgh. The violence needs to stop. May God bless, guide & unite the United States of America.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 27, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence tweeted, “Monitoring reports of shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Praying for the fallen, the injured, all the families impacted, and our courageous first responders. God bless them all.”

Monitoring reports of shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Praying for the fallen, the injured, all the families impacted, and our courageous first responders. God bless them all.

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 27, 2018

Sen. Orrin Hatch, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, tweeted, “Today, my prayers are with the people of Pittsburgh. This horrific act of violence—perpetrated against a holy people on their holy day—reminds us of the reality of evil and the need to counter its influence with courage and love. The hatred in this man’s heart has no place in a society founded on the ideal of religious freedom.”

SENATOR HATCH (who was born and raised in Pittsburgh) on this mornings horrific shooting: pic.twitter.com/tuM9SYWnLE

— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) October 27, 2018

Mitt Romney, who is the Republican candidate running to fill the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, tweeted, “We are all children of the same God, each precious in His eyes. I mourn today for my Jewish brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh, subject to such hateful, bigoted violence.”

We are all children of the same God, each precious in His eyes. I mourn today for my Jewish brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh, subject to such hateful, bigoted violence.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 27, 2018

Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox tweeted, “💔”

💔 https://t.co/6pCpSgghyl

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) October 27, 2018

Rep. Mia Love took to Twitter writing, “I am horrified at the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
My full statement is here:”

I am horrified at the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
My full statement is here: pic.twitter.com/VJ4XiIFas9

— Rep. Mia Love (@RepMiaLove) October 27, 2018

Mayor Ben McAdams tweeted out, “Tragic, appalling shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue. We must stand together against anti-Semitism, bigotry, hate & denounce violence. My heart goes out to the victims & families. #PrayersforPittsburgh”

Tragic, appalling shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue. We must stand together against anti-Semitism, bigotry, hate & denounce violence. My heart goes out to the victims & families. #PrayersforPittsburgh

— Ben McAdams (@BenMcAdams) October 28, 2018