Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: What we know about alleged mass shooter Robert Bowers

Police named Robert Bowers, 46, as the suspect in the killing of 11 people.

October 29, 2018, 2:03 PM

The man who allegedly opened fire on worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue "made statements regarding genocide and his desire to kill Jewish people" during the 20-minute attack, prosecutors said.

Eleven people were killed when authorities say 46-year-old Robert Bowers -- carrying an assault-style rifle and three handguns -- opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue Saturday morning.

PHOTO: Law enforcement officers secure the scene where multiple people were shot, Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Law enforcement officers secure the scene where multiple people were shot, Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP
PHOTO: First responders run with a person on a stretcher at the scene where multiple people were shot, Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
First responders run with a person on a stretcher at the scene where multiple people were shot, Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

As Bowers allegedly exchanged fire with officers, some of whom were injured, the gunman shouted to SWAT officers that he wanted "all Jews to die," authorities said.

Bowers was shot and hospitalized. He was then discharged from Allegheny General Hospital Monday morning and taken into FBI custody, officials said.

PHOTO: A Department of Motor Vehicles ID picture of Robert Bowers, the suspect of  the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
A Department of Motor Vehicles ID picture of Robert Bowers, the suspect of the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
AFP/Getty Images

Minutes before carrying out the carnage, Bowers is believed to have posted his intent to commit the massacre on the social media platform Gab, which is popular with white supremacists and the alt-right, investigators said.

Authorities said he likely acted alone.

Chris Hall, who lives in the same Pittsburgh apartment building as Bowers, described the suspect as a quiet loner who kept to himself.

Hall said he saw Bowers smoke cigarettes in his car but never saw him interact with anyone besides the landlord.

“The most terrifying thing is how normal he seemed,” Hall remarked.

PHOTO: Police respond to an active shooter situation at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
Police respond to an active shooter situation at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette via AP

Bowers has no criminal history and it appears he purchased his guns legally, authorities said.

He was not on the radar of the FBI, authorities added.

The massacre is being treated as a hate crime, prosecutors said.

Charges against Bowers include 11 counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder.

PHOTO: Members and supporters of the Jewish community come together in front of the White House for a candlelight vigil, in remembrance of those who died earlier in the day during a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
Members and supporters of the Jewish community come together in front of the White House for a candlelight vigil, in remembrance of those who died earlier in the day during a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: From left, Cody Murphy, 17 Sabrina Weihrauch, and Amanda Godley, left, comfort one another after an active shooter situation at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
From left, Cody Murphy, 17 Sabrina Weihrauch, and Amanda Godley, left, comfort one another after an active shooter situation at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018.
Andrew Stein/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

Bowers faces 22 charges that make him eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors said.

Bowers made his first appearance in court Monday afternoon from a wheelchair, wearing a blue shirt and gray sweatpants.

He appeared expressionless as the charges were explained to him.

When asked by the judge if he understood the charges, Bowers responded, “Yes sir.”

PHOTO: This courtroom sketch depicts Robert Gregory Bowers, who was wounded in a gun battle with police as he appeared in a wheelchair at federal court, Oct. 29, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
This courtroom sketch depicts Robert Gregory Bowers, who was wounded in a gun battle with police as he appeared in a wheelchair at federal court, Oct. 29, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
Dave Klug/AP

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said the massacre is believed to be the "deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States."

"It is simply unconscionable for Jews to be targeted during worship on a Sabbath morning, and unthinkable that it would happen in the United States of America in this day and age," the ADL said in a statement Saturday. "As we mourn those lost and search for answers, ADL will remain steadfast in its mission to fight anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it may occur.”