Vigil honoring Pittsburgh synagogue victims held at University of Delaware

The News Journal

People stand on the stairs of Sixth Presbyterian Church as the crowd spills up the hill and down the street for a vigil blocks from where an active shooter shot multiple people at Tree of Life Congregation synagogue on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh.

A community vigil was held at the University of Delaware Sunday honoring the victims of a deadly shooting that left at least 11 people dead at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

[Delaware's Jewish community in mourning after shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue]

The event was be held at 2 p.m. on the North Green in front of Memorial Hall.

"We are horrified by the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, in which 11 congregants and police officers were killed or injured," said the University of Delaware Hillel on Facebook. "We are heartbroken and angry at this vicious attack on the Jewish community, and we stand in grief and solitary with the community and the families of the victims of this violence. May their memories be for a blessing."

The vigil itself was hosted by Adas Kodesh Shel Emeth, Chabad at UD, Chabad of Delaware, Congregation Beth Emeth, Congregation Beth Shalom, Hillel at UD, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Federation of Delaware, Siegel JCC and Temple Beth El.

It was planned to be an interfaith gathering, said Seth Katzen, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Delaware.

Rabbi Steven Saks, spiritual leader of Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth in Penny Hill, said hearing about the shooting was surreal. Synagogues in the United States have been considered fairly safe places, and while many have guests ring a buzzer to get in, that's about it.

Now, he said, they may have to emulate European synagogues, which have seen more violence and employ security guards, among other things.

Saks said local synagogues also considered heightening security after a series of bomb threats made against the Seigel Jewish Community Center in Talleyville but of course there are downsides.

“It makes the institution feel much less welcoming," he said. "It doesn't feel as homey as it used to."

As far as he Saks Sunday morning, he was not acquainted with anyone killed or wounded in the attack in Pittsburgh. One of his congregants has grandchildren there and another has family in the Squirrel Hill community the synagogue is a part of, but he hadn't touched base with them yet.

Gov. John Carney has called for both U.S. and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until the close of business Wednesday.

Authorities identified the victims of the shooting during a Sunday press conference. Their ages range from 54 to 97.

MORE: A 97-year-old, an elderly wife and husband: These are the 11 victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre

The accused gunman, Robert Bowers, 46, was charged late Saturday with 29 federal counts, including hate crimes. Bowers was taken into custody after being wounded in a shootout with police at the scene of the "horrific" mass shooting, according to law enforcement officials.

The attack is the worst on worshipping Jewish people in American history, according to a Cincinnati professor and director of the American Jewish Archives.

Here's what we know, so far:

What happened?

Bowers allegedly burst into the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh and screamed anti-Semitic epithets as he opened fire on the congregants, law enforcement officials said.

Bowers shot and killed the 11 victims before being confronted by police. The call of a shooting at the synagogue came in at around 9:54 a.m. ET, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said at a Saturday news conference.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the shooting occurred at the synagogue during a baby-naming ceremony.

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How did police capture Bowers?

As Bowers attempted to exit the synagogue, a gunfight erupted and two officers were injured, Pittsburgh bureau FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Jones said.

In a later exchange of gunfire, two SWAT team members were injured. Bowers was taken into custody and is in fair condition with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Who is the suspect?

Bowers, 46, was charged by federal prosecutors with 29 counts, including using a firearm to commit murder. Bowers was allegedly armed with an assault rifle and four handguns.

A Department of Motor Vehicles ID picture of Robert Bowers, the suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue attack.

Posts believed to be from Bowers’ social media accounts show pictures of several Glock pistols in their cases and derogatory remarks about refugees, Jewish people and President Donald Trump.

MORE: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

Who are the victims?

Authorities released the names of the victims during a press conference Monday.

Joyce Fienberg, 75
Richard Gottfried,65
Jerry Rabinowitz, 66
Cecil Rosenthal, 59
David Rosenthal, 54
Bernice Simon, 84
Sylvan Simon, 86
Daniel Stein, 71
Melvin Waxn, 88
Rose Malinger, 97
Irving Younger, 69

Authorities have established a hotline for family members of the victims:

How have government officials responded?

The President tweeted that the "evil Anti-Semitic attack is an assault on humanity."

Former President Barack Obama said we need to make it harder for criminals to get their hands on guns.

Sen. Tom Carper, who was at the vigil at UD, released the following statement:

“On days like today, in the wake of yet another horrific tragedy, words always seem to fall short. It is all the more heinous and disheartening that this attack, targeting a vibrant Jewish community at their house of worship, appears to be an anti-Semitic hate crime. We must continue to speak up — to lend our steadfast support to those who have lost loved ones; to commend the law enforcement officers and first responders who helped to prevent even greater tragedy; and to all make very clear that hate and violent rhetoric have absolutely no place in this country.

"Most importantly, we need action and common sense gun control reforms that are long overdue. We have a moral responsibility to put people’s lives over politics and to finally do what the overwhelming majority of Americans believe is right. With both our words and deeds, we must do better and lead by example in order to ensure that tragedies like this one cannot continue to unfold.”