Pittsburgh synagogue shooting#Suspect

Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation is a Conservative Jewish synagogue. The synagogue describes itself as a "traditional, progressive, and egalitarian congregation". It is located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about {{convert|5|mi|km}} east of downtown Pittsburgh.{{cite web|url=https://www.tolols.org/|title=Tree of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation {{!}} Pittsburgh Synagogue|publisher=Tree of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027164856/http://www.tolols.org/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=October 27, 2018}} The Squirrel Hill neighborhood is one of the largest predominantly Jewish neighborhoods in the United States and has historically been the center of Pittsburgh's Jewish community. About 26 percent of the city's Jewish population live in the area.{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Deanna |last2=Selk |first2=Avi |last3=Wang |first3=Amy B. |date=October 27, 2018 |title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooting leaves multiple people dead and wounded |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-police-responding-active-shooting-squirrel-hill-area/?noredirect=on |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028015138/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-police-responding-active-shooting-squirrel-hill-area/?noredirect=on |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Peter |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Report: Pittsburgh Jewish community growing, spreading out |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/02/20/study-Pittsburgh-Jewish-community-growing-spreading-out/stories/201802200058 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033637/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/02/20/study-Pittsburgh-Jewish-community-growing-spreading-out/stories/201802200058 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Citation|last1=Boxer|first1=Matthew|title=The 2017 Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Community Study|url=https://www.brandeis.edu/ssri/communitystudies/pittsburghreport.html|pages=1–3|year=2018|orig-year=2017|publisher=Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies|access-date=October 28, 2018|last2=Brookner|first2=Matthew|last3=Aronson|first3=Janet|last4=Saxe|first4=Leonard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721023806/http://www.brandeis.edu/ssri/communitystudies/pittsburghreport.html|archive-date=July 21, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Originally founded as an Orthodox Jewish congregation in 1864 in downtown Pittsburgh, by an early group of Jewish immigrants, Tree of Life merged in 2010 with the recently founded Congregation Or L'Simcha.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.tolols.org/about-us |publisher=Tree of Life * Or L'Simcha |access-date=October 27, 2018 |date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027194149/https://www.tolols.org/about-us |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The modern synagogue building, located at the intersection of Wilkins and Shady avenues in Squirrel Hill, was built in 1953. The congregation also rents space to Dor Hadash,{{efn|{{Langx|he|דוֹר חָדָשׁ}}}} a Reconstructionist congregation; and New Light, another Conservative congregation.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=weL9M46TcU8C&pg=PA318|title=The American Synagogue: A Historical Dictionary and Sourcebook|first1=Kerry M.|last1=Olitzky|first2=Marc Lee|last2=Raphael|year=1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313288562|page=318|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031852/https://books.google.com/books?id=weL9M46TcU8C&pg=PA318|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Tibon |first1=Amir |last2=Landau |first2=Noa |last3=Kaplan Sommer |first3=Allison |last4=Maltz |first4=Judy |date=October 27, 2018 |title=Eight Killed in Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting; Gunman Yelled 'All Jews Must Die' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/man-reportedly-opens-fire-near-a-pittsburgh-synagoue-1.6595493 |work=Haaretz |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027183716/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/man-reportedly-opens-fire-near-a-pittsburgh-synagoue-1.6595493 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/27/Police-responding-to-incident-in-Squirrel-Hill/stories/201810270069 |title=Eleven dead, six wounded in massacre at Squirrel Hill synagogue |trans-title='Multiple casualties,' some fatalities in Squirrel Hill synagogue mass shooting |date=October 27, 2018 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=October 27, 2018 |last1=Mamula |first1=Kris |last2=Goldstein |first2=Andrew |last3=Ward |first3=Paula |last4=Navratil |first4=Liz |last5=Bradbury |first5=Shelly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027155213/https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/27/Police-responding-to-incident-in-Squirrel-Hill/stories/201810270069 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} The synagogue's main sanctuary has a capacity of 1,250 people.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/23b04dc5e5af4129b544ab50cbba3dd6|title=Suspect in custody in Pittsburgh synagogue attack|last1=Scolforo|first1=Mark|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018|work=Associated Press|last2=Gillispie|first2=Mark|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027154137/https://www.apnews.com/23b04dc5e5af4129b544ab50cbba3dd6|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Squirrel Hill has a low crime rate and is not generally regarded as racially tense. However, local rabbinic student Neal Rosenblum was murdered in the neighborhood in 1986 in an antisemitic hate crime.{{cite news |last1=Farzan |first1=Antonia Noori |title=Before synagogue mass shooting, a 1986 murder shook Pittsburgh's Jewish community |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/29/before-synagogue-mass-shooting-murder-rabbinical-student-shook-pittsburghs-jewish-community/ |access-date=October 29, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029141230/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/29/before-synagogue-mass-shooting-murder-rabbinical-student-shook-pittsburghs-jewish-community/ |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

This 2018 mass shooting took place soon after Columbia University and the Anti-Defamation League independently reported a spike in antisemitic activity online, especially on the popular social networking platforms Instagram and Twitter.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/attacks-jewish-people-rising-instagram-twitter-researchers-say-n925086|title=Attacks on Jewish people rising on Instagram and Twitter, researchers say|date=October 27, 2018|author=David Ingram|agency=NBC News|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103050153/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/attacks-jewish-people-rising-instagram-twitter-researchers-say-n925086|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://qz.com/1440723/pittsburgh-shooting-the-culmination-of-rising-anti-semitism-in-the-us/|title=The Pittsburgh shooting is the culmination of an increase in anti-Semitism in the US|author=Annabelle Timsit|date=October 27, 2018|agency=Quartz|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131617/https://qz.com/1440723/pittsburgh-shooting-the-culmination-of-rising-anti-semitism-in-the-us/|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/28/rising-antisemitism-worldwide-boils-over-at-pittsburgh-synagogue|title=Rising antisemitism worldwide boils over at Pittsburgh synagogue|author=Harriet Sherwood|date=October 28, 2018|agency=The Guardian|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131505/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/28/rising-antisemitism-worldwide-boils-over-at-pittsburgh-synagogue|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/us/jewish-hate-crimes-fbi/index.html|title=The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting is believed to be the deadliest attack on Jews in American history, the ADL says|date=October 28, 2018|author=Jay Croft and Saeed Ahmed|agency=CNN|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131326/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/us/jewish-hate-crimes-fbi/index.html|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} In addition, other antisemitic acts had been committed elsewhere.

{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/before-shooting-anti-semitic-incidents-were-on-the-rise/2018/10/29/7ad63ce2-db79-11e8-8bac-bfe01fcdc3a6_story.html|title=Anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise even before shooting|date=October 29, 2018|agency=Washington Post|author=David Crary|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029193259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/before-shooting-anti-semitic-incidents-were-on-the-rise/2018/10/29/7ad63ce2-db79-11e8-8bac-bfe01fcdc3a6_story.html|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

The immediate rise in the months of August to October 2018 was attributed to rising tensions associated with advertising for the 2018 U.S. midterm elections.{{cite news|url=AMP: https://www.adl.org/resources/reports/computational-propaganda-jewish-americans-and-the-2018-midterms-the-amplification|title=Computational Propaganda, Jewish-Americans and the 2018 Midterms: The Amplification of Anti-Semitic Harassment Online|agency=Anti-Defamation League|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131522/https://www.adl.org/resources/reports/computational-propaganda-jewish-americans-and-the-2018-midterms-the-amplification#conclusion|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} A similar rise in online attacks had occurred during the 2016 US election, with the midterms being a "rallying point" for far-right extremists to organize efforts to spread antisemitism online among the populace. In 2017, there was a 57% rise in antisemitic incidents in the United States, in context of rising hate crimes against other groups, including Muslims and African Americans, as reported by the FBI. For instance, hundreds of Jewish gravestones were vandalized in Pennsylvania and Missouri, and antisemitic incidents on university campuses doubled in number.

In August 2017, the widely publicized Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia featured Nazi symbols, salutes, and the slogan "Blood and Soil", among other racist and antisemitic rhetoric. Considerable antisemitic material was being spread online via conspiracy theories about wealthy Jewish individuals, including billionaire George Soros. Columbia University's Jon Albright said that these represented the "worst sample" of all the hate speech he had seen on Instagram.

At 9:45 a.m. EDT (13:45 UTC), three religious services were underway in the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three distinct congregations. Tree of Life and New Light had both begun independent Shabbat morning service in the Pervin Chapel and basement, respectively. The Dor Hadash congregants were gathered near the front of the building, prior to their 10:00 a.m. Torah study session.{{cite news |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/what-know-about-tree-life-synagogue/lpCpjJlu2MyQuAtnOKPcKI/ |title=What we know about Tree of Life Synagogue |date=27 October 2018 |access-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120140010/https://www.ajc.com/news/national/what-know-about-tree-life-synagogue/lpCpjJlu2MyQuAtnOKPcKI/ |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Five minutes later, a gunman, identified as Robert Bowers and described as a "bearded heavy-set white male", entered the building, opened fire and was "shooting for about 20 minutes."{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-jewish-943666 |title=Officials: Shooter in synagogue attack spoke of killing Jews |last=Griffiths |first=Brent D. |date=October 28, 2018 |work=POLITICO |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028180600/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-jewish-943666 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} He was armed with a Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle (cited by authorities as an "assault rifle"){{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Campbell |last2=Mele |first2=Christopher |last3=Tsvrernise |first3=Sabrina |title=11 Killed in Synagogue Massacre; Suspect Charged With 29 Counts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html |date=October 27, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027155253/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} – NOTE: please see extensive discussion about "assault rifles" at => Talk:Pittsburgh synagogue shooting#"AR-15 rifle" considered an "Assault Weapon" - or Not? and three Glock .357 SIG semi-automatic pistols, all four of which he fired, according to authorities.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Campbell |last2=Mele |first2=Christopher |last3=Tsvrernise |first3=Sabrina |author-link3=Sabrina Tavernise |date=October 27, 2018 |title=11 Killed in Synagogue Massacre; Suspect Charged With 29 Counts |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027155253/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last1=Rosenblatt |first1=Kalhan |last2=Winter |first2=Tom |last3=Dienst |first3=Jonathan |last4=Williams |first4=Pete |last5=McCausland |first5=Phil |title=11 dead in shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue, suspect in custody |website=NBC News |date=October 27, 2018 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/active-shooter-reported-near-pittsburgh-synagogue-n925211 |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106225736/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/active-shooter-reported-near-pittsburgh-synagogue-n925211%20 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting/at-least-four-reported-dead-12-injured-in-shooting-at-pittsburgh-synagogue-idUSKCN1N10J6|title=Gunman targeting Jews kills 11 in Pittsburgh synagogue|last1=Altdorfer|first1=John|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018|work=Reuters|last2=Swaney|first2=Chriss|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027201050/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting/at-least-four-reported-dead-12-injured-in-shooting-at-pittsburgh-synagogue-idUSKCN1N10J6|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} There would typically be around 75 people in the building on a Saturday morning.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/crime/worshipers-in-hiding-waiting-for-death-how-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-unfolded/ |title=Worshipers in Hiding, Waiting for Death: How the Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Unfolded |first1=Adam |last1=Carlson |first2=Wendy Grossman |last2=Kantor |first3=Susan |last3=Keating |first4=Christine |last4=Pelisek |date=October 30, 2018 |access-date=November 4, 2018 |work=People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103140948/https://people.com/crime/worshipers-in-hiding-waiting-for-death-how-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-unfolded/ |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} The first two persons shot were two brothers, Cecil and David Rosenthal, at the main entrance, after which Bowers headed downstairs to New Light. Some hearing the shots did not initially recognize them for what they were: Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, located upstairs, thought a coat rack had fallen and clattered.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/29/us/rabbi-recounts-shooting-pittsburgh-cnntv/index.html |title=A rabbi says he first thought gunfire was the sound of a fallen metal coat rack. Then he saw people running. |first=Lindsey |last=Ellefsen |date=29 October 2018 |work=CNN |access-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121025119/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/29/us/rabbi-recounts-shooting-pittsburgh-cnntv/index.html |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} By 9:54, police began receiving multiple calls from people barricaded in the building and reporting the attack.{{cite news |last1=Sheehan |first1=Andy |last2=Schiller |first2=Meghan |title=11 Dead, Several Others Shot At Pittsburgh Synagogue |url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/27/heavy-police-presence-near-synagogue-in-squirrel-hill/ |publisher=KDKA |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027145728/https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/27/heavy-police-presence-near-synagogue-in-squirrel-hill/ |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://www.kesq.com/news/national-world/heres-how-the-shooting-at-a-pittsburgh-synagogue-unfolded/829653460|title=Here's how the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue unfolded|first1=Steve|last1=Almasy|first2=Artemis|last2=Moshtaghian|publisher=CNN|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028225604/https://www.kesq.com/news/national-world/heres-how-the-shooting-at-a-pittsburgh-synagogue-unfolded/829653460|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last1=Bill |first1=Shackner |title=From calm to crisis: 911 center workers sprang into action during synagogue massacre |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-allegheny-county-911-dispatcher-pittsburgh/stories/201811010157 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122218/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-allegheny-county-911-dispatcher-pittsburgh/stories/201811010157 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

At 9:55,{{cite news |work=Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-unfolded/ |date=October 30, 2018 |first=Ben |last=Sales |title=How the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting unfolded — minute-by-minute |access-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116110340/https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-unfolded/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Melvin Wax, the leader of New Light's services, hid in a pitch-black closet in the basement. He opened the door of the closet, and Bowers immediately shot him. The latter did not notice the other three congregants who remained in the closet. Two other members of New Light, Gottfried and Stein, were shot and killed in the basement kitchen. Bowers also killed Jerry Rabinowitz of Dor Hadash, a physician who had gone toward the sound of gunshots to see if anyone had been hurt. At 9:57, Bowers left the basement and headed upstairs to the larger Tree of Life service. About 13 worshippers had gathered for the Shabbat service in an upstairs chapel. Myers helped four of them evacuate the chapel through a side door, but eight of the worshippers remained behind. Bowers killed seven of them and wounded the eighth.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tree-of-life-rabbi-jeffrey-myers_us_5bdee9f6e4b09d43e31fb791|title=Tree Of Life Rabbi Says 'Hate Speech' Fueled By Politicians Led To Synagogue Massacre|first=Dominique|last=Mosbergen|date=November 4, 2018|access-date=November 4, 2018|work=HuffPost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105023311/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tree-of-life-rabbi-jeffrey-myers_us_5bdee9f6e4b09d43e31fb791|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Police sources said Bowers shouted at some point during the attack, "All Jews must die!"{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Christal |last2=Johnson |first2=Kevin |last3=Woodall |first3=Candy |title=Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers-identified-suspect-synagogue/1789239002/ |access-date=November 25, 2018 |newspaper=USA Today |date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126012524/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers-identified-suspect-synagogue/1789239002/ |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

At 9:59, police arrived at the synagogue.{{cite news |author= |title=Pittsburgh shooting: Multiple casualties at Squirrel Hill synagogue |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46002549 |date=October 27, 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027145300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46002549 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Bowers fired on police from the entryway while apparently departing, and police returned fire, forcing him to retreat into the building.{{cite news |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/28/TIMELINE-20-minutes-of-terror-gripped-Squirrel-Hill-during-Saturday-synagogue-attack/stories/201810280197 |last=Bradbury |first=Shelly |date=October 29, 2018 |title=Timeline of terror: A moment-by-moment account of Squirrel Hill mass shooting |trans-title=A moment-by-moment account of the shooting: A timeline of the shooting assault at Tree of Life |access-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116055430/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/28/TIMELINE-20-minutes-of-terror-gripped-Squirrel-Hill-during-Saturday-synagogue-attack/stories/201810280197 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} A half-hour later, tactical teams entered the building, and Bowers also fired upon them. When officers wounded him in return fire, he retreated to the third floor and hid in a room. He had wounded two officers and two SWAT members, one of them critically. At 11:08, Bowers crawled out of the room and surrendered, having been shot multiple times.{{cite news |date=October 27, 2018 |title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooting leaves 8 dead, 4 officers injured; suspect in custody |url=https://abc7chicago.com/watch-live-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-leaves-multiple-casualties-3-officers-injured;-suspect-in-custody/4565140/ |publisher=ABC 7 Chicago |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033650/https://abc7chicago.com/watch-live-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-leaves-multiple-casualties-3-officers-injured;-suspect-in-custody/4565140/ |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} As he received medical care in police custody, he allegedly told a SWAT officer that he wanted Jews to die and that Jews were committing genocide against his people.{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh synagogue gunman told SWAT he wanted all Jews to die, criminal complaint says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/index.html |access-date=October 28, 2018 |work=CNN|date=October 28, 2018 |first1=Nicole |last1=Chavez |first2=Emanuella |last2=Grinberg |first3=Eliott C. |last3=McLaughlin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028131916/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/index.html |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Bowers discharged his rifle 67 times during the shooting.{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Paula Reed |date=2023-06-18 |title=After 3 weeks and a guilty verdict on all counts, Pittsburgh synagogue attack trial moves to penalty phase |url=https://triblive.com/local/after-3-weeks-and-a-guilty-verdict-on-all-counts-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack-trial-moves-to-penalty-phase/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}

File:Tree of Life Synagogue Memorials 10-30-2018 01.jpg

File:Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims Plaque.jpg in Jerusalem]]

Eleven people were killed,{{cite news |title=Names of deceased victims in Squirrel Hill massacre released |trans-title=Officials name deceased victims from Tree of Life shooting; UPMC provides updates on survivors |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/28/tree-of-life-victims-police-officers-hospitalized-UPMC-Presbyterian-mercy-jewish-synagogue-shooting/stories/201810280178 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028141332/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/28/tree-of-life-victims-police-officers-hospitalized-UPMC-Presbyterian-mercy-jewish-synagogue-shooting/stories/201810280178 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |first1=Eric |last1=Levenson |first2=Ray |last2=Sanchez |title=Mass shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/index.html |website=CNN |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027170709/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/index.html |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |title=Victims In Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Identified |url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims/ |access-date=October 28, 2018 |publisher=CBS Pittsburgh |date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028170141/https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims/ |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} including three on the ground level and four in the synagogue's basement.{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/27/multiple-victims-as-shooter-storms-prayer-service-at-us-synagogue-8081009/|title=11 dead, six injured as gunman opens fire on prayer service at US synagogue|last=Mann|first=Tanveer|date=October 27, 2018|work=Metro|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027184429/https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/27/multiple-victims-as-shooter-storms-prayer-service-at-us-synagogue-8081009/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Among the dead were two brothers and a married couple.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims/index.html|title=These are the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|first1=Dakin|last1=Andone|first2=Sara|last2=Sidner|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028223327/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims/index.html|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Those killed were:

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Joyce Fienberg, 75, a retired University of Pittsburgh research specialist
• Richard Gottfried, 65, a dentist
• Rose Mallinger, 97, an active congregant at the synagogue for more than 60 years
• Jerry Rabinowitz, 65, a family physician
• Cecil, 59 & David Rosenthal, 54, brothers who lived together at a community home for people with disabilities
• Bernice, 84 & Sylvan Simon, 86, a retired couple who celebrated their wedding at Tree of Life in 1956
• Daniel Stein, 71, a retired salesman and substitute school teacher
• Melvin Wax, 87, a retired accountant who was leading services at the time of the shooting
• Irving Younger, 69, a retired real estate company owner, who served as a greeter at the synagogue

{{Div col end}}

Seven others were injured in the incident, with four requiring surgery.{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2018/10/30/jewish-doctors-nursers-helped-treat-accused-synagogue-shooter/|title=Jewish doctors, nurses helped treat accused synagogue shooter|date=October 30, 2018|newspaper=The New York Post|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160449/https://nypost.com/2018/10/30/jewish-doctors-nursers-helped-treat-accused-synagogue-shooter/|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Among the injured were three congregants and four police officers (two patrol officers and two SWAT officers; three by ricocheted gunfire and a fourth by glass fragments).

Robert Bowers (born September 4, 1972),{{Cite web |title=Robert Bowers |url=https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/robert-bowers |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Counter Extremism Project |language=en}} a resident of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, was arrested as the shooter.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers.html|title=Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Suspect Was 'Pretty Much a Ghost'|last=Gabriel|first=Trip|date=October 28, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191856/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers.html|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |last1=Turkewitz |first1=Julie |last2=Roose |first2=Kevin |title=Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html |date=October 27, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027215602/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072|title=29 federal charges filed against shooting suspect Robert Bowers|last1=Ward|first1=Paula|date=October 27, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=October 27, 2018|last2=Lord|first2=Rich|last3=Navratil|first3=Liz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027184130/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Bowers' parents divorced when he was about one year old.{{cite news |last1=Balingit |first1=Moriah |last2=St. Martin |first2=Victoria |last3=Berman |first3=Mark |date=November 2, 2018 |title=As questions linger about Pittsburgh suspect, details emerge from his early life |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-questions-linger-about-pittsburgh-suspect-details-emerge-from-his-early-life/2018/11/02/a643c506-dec7-11e8-b732-3c72cbf131f2_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104041932/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-questions-linger-about-pittsburgh-suspect-details-emerge-from-his-early-life/2018/11/02/a643c506-dec7-11e8-b732-3c72cbf131f2_story.html |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |access-date=November 5, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |df=mdy-all}} While Bowers was seven years old, his father, Randall G. Bowers of the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Garfield, died by suicide on October 15, 1979 at the age of 26 while he was awaiting trial on a rape charge in connection of an April 27, 1979 rape of a 20-year-old woman in Squirrel Hill.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/randall-robert-bowers-court-case-sealed-order-tree-of-life-allegheny-county/stories/201811010164|title=Judge seals old criminal case file for presumed father of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect|first1=Paula Reed|last1=Ward|first2=Liz|last2=Navratil|first3=Rich|last3=Lord|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=November 5, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105201049/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/randall-robert-bowers-court-case-sealed-order-tree-of-life-allegheny-county/stories/201811010164|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/us/pittsburgh-gunman-father-rape-case.html|title=Man Said to Be Pittsburgh Suspect's Father Killed Himself Amid 1979 Rape Case|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 2, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105150537/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/us/pittsburgh-gunman-father-rape-case.html|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|last1=Healy|first1=Jack|last2=Turkewitz|first2=Julie}} Bowers attended Baldwin High School in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District from August 1986 to November 1989. He dropped out of high school before graduation and worked as a trucker for 13 years until 2002.{{cite web|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=November 1, 2018|title=A high school dropout and trucker, Robert Bowers left few footprints — except online|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/29/Robert-Bowers-suspect-gunman-Pittsburgh-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-massacre-attack-federal-court/stories/201810290090|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031025342/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/29/Robert-Bowers-suspect-gunman-Pittsburgh-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-massacre-attack-federal-court/stories/201810290090|archive-date=October 31, 2018}}{{cite web|website=The New York Times|date=October 28, 2018|title=Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Suspect Was 'Pretty Much a Ghost'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030232929/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/us/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers.html|archive-date=October 30, 2018}} Neighbors described Bowers as "a ghost" who rarely interacted with others.

According to accounts which were given by Bowers' coworkers, and analysis of his recent social media posts, his conservatism became radicalized as white nationalism; at one point in the late-1990s, Bowers was fascinated by the right-wing radio host Jim Quinn.{{Cite web |title=From nonpartisan voter to virulent extremist: The undoing of Robert Bowers |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/31/Robert-Bowers-accused-killer-political-Warroom-synagogue-pittsburgh-mass-shooting/stories/201810300154 |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205194418/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/31/Robert-Bowers-accused-killer-political-Warroom-synagogue-pittsburgh-mass-shooting/stories/201810300154 |url-status=live }} At a later time, he became a follower of "aggressive online provocateurs of the right wing's fringe."{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165|title=How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120216/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165|archive-date=November 21, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} He was deeply involved in posting comments on social media websites such as Gab and he also promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories on them.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/10/31/18034256/anti-semitism-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-prejudice-right|title=Tree of Life shooting: How the rise of conspiracy theory politics emboldens antisemitism|work=Vox|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103014007/https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/10/31/18034256/anti-semitism-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-prejudice-right|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Bowers routinely discussed a conspiracy theory that Jews were assisting "evil Muslims" to take over the United States together.{{Cite news |last=Beckett |first=Lois |date=2018-10-27 |title=Pittsburgh shooting: suspect railed against Jews and Muslims on site used by 'alt-right' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/27/pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-antisemitism |access-date=2024-03-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In the weeks before the shooting, Bowers made antisemitic posts directed at the HIAS-sponsored National Refugee Shabbat{{cite web |url=https://www.hias.org/national-refugee-shabbat |title=National Refugee Shabbat |publisher=Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028195816/https://www.hias.org/national-refugee-shabbat |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} of October 19–20, in which Dor Hadash participated. He claimed Jews were aiding members of Central American caravans moving toward the United States border and referred to those migrants as "invaders". Shortly before the attack, he posted on Gab that "HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can't sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I'm going in."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/pittsburgh-synagogue-comes-amid-surge-anti-semiticism/574180/|title=The Synagogue Killings Mark a Surge of Anti-Semitism|last=Kragie|first=Andrew|date=October 27, 2018|work=The Atlantic|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027214512/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/pittsburgh-synagogue-comes-amid-surge-anti-semiticism/574180/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Bowers was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with 29 federal crimes.{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Paula Reed |last2=Lord |first2=Rich |last3=Navratil |first3=Liz |title=29 federal charges filed against shooting suspect Robert Bowers – Social posts attributed to suspect may provide clues |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072 |date=October 27, 2018 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027184130/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Bowers appeared in federal court in Pittsburgh on October 29, 2018, and was ordered held without bail pending trial.{{cite news | last=Swaney | first=Chriss | title=Stony-faced, silent synagogue massacre suspect held without bond | work=Reuters | date=October 29, 2018 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting/stony-faced-silent-synagogue-massacre-suspect-held-without-bond-idUSKCN1N30ZQ | access-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029224552/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting/stony-faced-silent-synagogue-massacre-suspect-held-without-bond-idUSKCN1N30ZQ | archive-date=October 29, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} Two days later, Bowers was indicted on 44 counts by a federal grand jury. The charges carry a maximum penalty of death or 535 years in federal prison.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-suspect-indicted-federal-hate-crime-charges-faces-n929386|title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect indicted on federal hate crime charges, faces 535 years|first=Doha|last=Madani|publisher=NBC News|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=November 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031223729/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-suspect-indicted-federal-hate-crime-charges-faces-n929386|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The counts included hate crimes,{{cite news |author=Jacey Fortin |date=October 31, 2018 |title=Robert Bowers Indicted on 44 Counts After Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/31/us/synagogue-shooting-charges-robert-bowers.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042320/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/31/us/synagogue-shooting-charges-robert-bowers.html |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |df=mdy-all}} 11 counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence, four counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, and three counts of use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.{{cite web | title=Statement on Filing of Federal Charges | publisher=Department of Justice | date=October 27, 2018 | url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/statement-filing-federal-charges | access-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028134629/https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/statement-filing-federal-charges | archive-date=October 28, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last=Reed Ward |first=Paula |last2=Lord |first2=Rich |last3=Navratil |first3=Liz |date=October 27, 2018 |title=Dozens of federal, state charges filed against shooting suspect Robert Bowers |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029073443/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/27/squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting-suspect-pittsburgh-mass-officers-victims-casualties/stories/201810270072 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |df=mdy-all}} On November 1, 2018, Bowers entered a plea of not guilty.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-pleads-not-guilty-today-2018-11-01-live-updates/ |title=Pittsburgh gunman pleads not guilty to synagogue massacre charges |work=CBS News |date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101190448/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-pleads-not-guilty-today-2018-11-01-live-updates/ |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On January 29, 2019, the grand jury indicted Bowers on an additional 19 counts, 13 of which were for hate crimes.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/29/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-robert-bowers-face-hate-crimes-charges/2716953002/ |title=Suspected Pittsburgh synagogue shooter will face additional charges of hate crimes |newspaper=USA Today |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130183724/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/29/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-robert-bowers-face-hate-crimes-charges/2716953002/ |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} On February 11, 2019, Bowers was arraigned in federal court.

Bowers's defense team includes two public defenders plus well-known criminal defense attorney Judy Clarke, a death penalty expert who was appointed by the court as co-counsel for the defendant.{{cite news |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/25/Accused-Tree-of-Life-shooter-robert-bowers-seeks-plea-deal/stories/202010230149 |title=Accused Tree of Life shooter still seeks plea deal |first=Torsten |last=Ove |date=25 October 2020|access-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510053735/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/25/Accused-Tree-of-Life-shooter-robert-bowers-seeks-plea-deal/stories/202010230149 |url-status=live }} The defense offered a plea deal in which Bowers would plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life imprisonment without parole; federal prosecutors declined, seeking the death penalty instead.Paula Reed Ward & Megan Guza, [https://triblive.com/local/congregation-asks-new-u-s-attorney-general-to-strike-plea-deal-with-accused-synagogue-shooter/ Congregation asks new U.S. Attorney General to strike plea deal with accused synagogue shooter], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (June 25, 2021).{{cite news |author=Torsten Ove |date=25 September 2019 |title=Prosecutors say defense balking at setting Robert Bowers trial date for Tree of Life killings |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/25/tree-of-life-shooting-robert-bowers-trial-date-scheduling-order-discovery/stories/201909250129 |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011022028/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/25/tree-of-life-shooting-robert-bowers-trial-date-scheduling-order-discovery/stories/201909250129 |archive-date=October 11, 2019}}

The trial date was not set until various pretrial motions were resolved.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Judge-waits-to-set-trial-date-in-Pittsburgh-14665100.php|title=Judge waits to set trial date in Pittsburgh synagogue attack|date=2019-10-31|website=SFGate|access-date=2019-11-15|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115072325/https://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Judge-waits-to-set-trial-date-in-Pittsburgh-14665100.php|url-status=live}} In April 2020, Senior U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose denied a defense challenge to the federal death penalty. In October 2020, Judge Ambrose denied a defense motion to dismiss charges brought under the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and Church Arson Prevention Act. In November 2021, the defense decided that it would not pursue an insanity defense or intellectual disability defense.Torsten Ove, [https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/11/12/tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-trial-defense-lawyers-insanity-plea/stories/202111120088 Bowers defense team won't seek insanity defense but still wants more time; judge grants another delay], Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (November 12, 2021). In January 2022, after holding an earlier evidentiary hearing, Judge Ambrose denied Bowers's motion to suppress evidence of statements he made after being arrested by police, inside an ambulance, and at the hospital the day of the attack.Paula Reed Ward, [https://triblive.com/local/judge-denies-motion-to-suppress-statements-made-by-defendant-in-tree-of-life-case/ Judge denies motion to suppress statements made by defendant in Tree of Life case], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (January 20, 2022).

After Judge Ambrose retired in February 2022, the case was randomly reassigned to U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville.Torsten Ove, [https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2022/02/03/tree-of-life-shooting-suspect-trial-new-judge-death-penalty-case/stories/202202030100 New U.S. judge to preside over alleged Tree of Life shooter's death penalty case], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (February 3, 2022). In March 2022, Colville denied Bowers's motion for a change of venue.Paula Reed Ward, [https://triblive.com/local/judge-denies-motion-to-move-trial-in-tree-of-life-shooting-case Judge denies motion to move trial in Tree of Life shooting case], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (March 20, 2022).

In September 2022, Judge Colville set the trial to begin in April 2023, rejecting a bid by the defense to delay the trial until December 2023.Chris Hoffman, [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/robert-bowers-trial-date-set-accused-tree-of-life-gunman/ Robert Bowers: Trial date set for accused Tree of Life gunman], CBS News (September 20, 2022). In March 2023, members of the jury pool began completing questionnaires.Paula Reed Ward, [https://triblive.com/local/bowers-appears-in-federal-court-as-prospective-jurors-complete-questionnaires-in-tree-of-life-case/ Robert Bowers appears in federal court as prospective jurors complete questionnaires in Tree of Life case], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (March 6, 2023). The jury selection process began on April 24 with twelve jurors and six alternates being selected.Paula Reed Ward, [https://triblive.com/local/jury-selection-continues-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack-trial/ Jury selection continues in Pittsburgh synagogue attack trial], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (April 26, 2023).Peter Smith & Mark Scolforo, [https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-mass-shooting-trial-e89661bba2d7e3beb48b6420d72ddb35 Jury selection begins over 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack], Associated Press (April 24, 2023).

The trial began May 30, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/pittsburgh-synagogue-mass-shooting-trial-begin-prosecutors-pursuing/story?id=99625854|title=Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting trial begins, prosecutors pursuing death penalty|work=ABC News|access-date=May 30, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-tree-life-synagogue-shooting-federal-trial-51a2f8a53f9285e8957b4e6a8b05818a|title=Lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue defendant admit he carried out deadliest US antisemitic attack|work=Associated Press News|date=May 30, 2023 |access-date=May 30, 2023}} Prosecutors called sixty witnesses, while the defense did not call any witnesses.LevensonSabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, [https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/14/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial/index.html Final witness in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial says she played dead next to her 97-year-old mother], CNN (June 14, 2023). The witnesses who testified included survivors of the attack, including congregants and Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. Evidence presented to the jury included recordings of 9-1-1 calls as the attacks unfolded (including from some of the people killed), and testimony from police officers who ultimately subdued the gunman; from expert witnesses on medicine, guns, and computers; from the FBI agents and police detectives who investigated the case; from a paramedic who responded to the scene; and from the director of the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.{{Cite news |last=Guza |first=Megan |date=June 7, 2023 |title='There were no noises whatsoever': Officer remembers silence inside the synagogue |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/07/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-robert-bowers-trial/stories/202306070110 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609035542/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/07/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-robert-bowers-trial/stories/202306070110 |archive-date=June 9, 2023}} Photographs were also introduced as evidence, including photos of exhaustively documented bloodstains, bullet fragments, and shell casings, and police body-worn camera footage was also shown to the jury. Bowers's antisemitic social media posts were also introduced as evidence.{{Cite news |last=Guza |first=Megan |date=June 15, 2023 |title='Hold him accountable for the people who couldn't testify': Jurors start deliberating in synagogue shooting trial after closing arguments |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/15/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-robert-bowers-trial-dor-hadash-new-light-2/stories/202306150105 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616042631/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/15/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-robert-bowers-trial-dor-hadash-new-light-2/stories/202306150105 |archive-date=June 16, 2023}} After 11 days of testimony, prosecutors told the jury in closing argument that Bowers had made "cold, calculated, deliberate choices" in the shooting. Bowers's defense counsel conceded that he had fatally shot all the victims, but argued that there was doubt as to his specific intent: "why he did what he did and what he thought he would accomplish by doing so."

On June 16, 2023, 50-year-old Bowers was found guilty on all 63 federal charges, including 11 counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death; the jury rendered its verdict after five hours of deliberation over two days.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-ba843b83bf674d2603a07add574f13ea|work=Associated Press News|title=Pittsburgh synagogue gunman is found guilty in the deadliest attack on Jewish people in US history|date=June 16, 2023|author=Peter Smith}}

The sentencing phase began on June 16, 2023, with the jury hearing arguments to decide if Bowers should be sentenced to death or life without parole. Bowers' defense lawyers sought to persuade the jury that Bowers had significant brain damagePeter Smith, [https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-antisemitism-judaism-e154510f3d6cf0e399039fb97bf62523 Doctors give mixed testimony on whether tests show brain damage in the Pittsburgh synagogue killer], Associated Press (June 27, 2023). and was influenced by mental illness or delusions.[https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-trial-f1d03795bc79de4778153889c7ba1d3f 'Blatantly psychotic' gunman wanted parade, medals for synagogue massacre, psychologist testifies], Associated Press (June 29, 2023).[https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-antisemitism-9d73e9421dc9b469c910df4ae5691038 Pittsburgh synagogue killer has extensive history of mental illness, defense expert testifies], Associated Press (June 28, 2023). By contrast, prosecutors emphasized evidence showing that Bowers had extensively planned his attack and was motivated by antisemitism, as shown in his numerous rants on social media and statements to police after the attack.

Three University of Pittsburgh Medical Center physicians (two radiologists and a neurologist) testified about their review of brain-imaging tests (an EEG, PET, and MRI) of Bowers in 2021 and 2022. They found the tests to be largely normal. Two defense experts, by contrast, testified that they believed Bowers "had significant brain damage that could be correlated with schizophrenia" and could affect behavior. A separate defense expert, a University of North Texas forensic psychologist, testified on his opinions from 20 hours of examination of Bowers over four days in 2022. He testified that Bowers was "proud" of his attack, showed no remorse for the shooting, and thought that he deserved medals and a parade. The psychologist opined that Bowers is "blatantly psychotic" and suffers from schizophrenia, but agreed on cross-examination that he was "goal-oriented" and planned the attack as much as six months in advance. Separately, a neurologist who examined Bowers in 2021 testified as a defense expert, opining that Bowers had schizophrenia and epilepsy. On cross-examination, the defense neurologist acknowledged that Bowers was not "incapable" of plotting the shootings, but testified that "his reasons for planning it out are unreliable in his brain." The defense presented evidence of Bowers's lengthy history of serious mental illness, including multiple suicide attempts since his teenage years, an incident in which he "threw flammable liquid on his mother and tried to ignite it" at age thirteen, and three instances of involuntary commitment, the latest in 2004.

At the request of the defense, the sentencing phase was split into two parts (each with its own opening statements, closing arguments and jury decision): (1) whether Bowers was eligible to be sentenced to death and (2) the selection of the sentence. On July 13, 2023, after two hours of deliberation, the jury found that Bowers was eligible for a death sentence.Nicki Brown, [https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-death/index.html Jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter eligible to face the death penalty], CNN (July 13, 2023). After making further deliberation on sentence for two days, the federal jury issued a unanimous decision to sentence Bowers to the death penalty on August 2.{{cite news|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-2018-synagogue-shooter-sentenced-to-death|title=US 2018 synagogue shooter sentenced to death|date=3 August 2023|work=The Straits Times|location=Singapore}} Bowers was the first and only criminal to be sentenced to death by the US federal government during the presidency of Joe Biden.{{Cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-shooter-sentenced-death-2018-synagogue-massacre-3673126 |title=US shooter sentenced to death for 2018 synagogue massacre |date=August 3, 2023 |publisher=CNA |access-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803052940/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-shooter-sentenced-death-2018-synagogue-massacre-3673126 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-shooting-robert-bowers-death-penalty/h_7529474dbf6ae155c66928d387a09450 |title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooter who killed 11 worshippers and wounded six others sentenced to death |date=August 2, 2023 |last=Souza |first=Sabrina |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 2, 2023}} On August 3, 2023, Bowers was formally sentenced to death.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-ccb447356b2cfe855875c329fb00f505|title=Pittsburgh synagogue gunman has been sentenced to die in the nation's deadliest antisemitic attack|publisher=AP NEWS|access-date=August 3, 2023}}

On August 26, 2023, Bowers was transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and placed on death row at United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute.{{Cite web |title=Inmate Locator |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=www.bop.gov}} Bowers attempted to appeal his sentence for a new trial in November 2023,{{cite news|url=https://cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-appeals-sentence-new-trial|title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooter appeals sentence and asks for new trial|publisher=KDKA|date=November 2, 2023}} but his request was denied in May 2024.{{cite news|url=https://cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/convicted-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-denied-new-trial|title=Convicted Pittsburgh synagogue shooter denied new trial|publisher=KDKA|date=May 17, 2024}}

In December 2024, when President Joe Biden announced commutations for the death sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, he excluded Bowers along with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who perpetrated the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and Dylann Roof, who committed the 2015 Charleston church shooting, because of their convictions for either terrorism or hate-motivated mass murder related crimes.{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Arden |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Biden commutes sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates to life in prison without possibility of parole |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-commutes-sentences-37-of-40-federal-death-row-inmates/ |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=CBS News}}

Bowers was also charged with 36 state criminal counts, including 11 counts of criminal homicide, six counts of aggravated assault, six counts of attempted criminal homicide, and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation. The state charges were held in abeyance pending the federal trial.

File:Pittsburgh synagogue shooting Governor Wolf Gives Remarks Regarding Pittsburgh Shooting and Participates in Vigil (44678100105) (cropped).jpg makes a statement about the shooting. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto stands listening in the striped tie.]]

President Donald Trump, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, then-Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, and Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O'Connor released statements about the incident through Twitter. Trump called the shooting a wicked, antisemitic act of "pure evil."{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/pittsburgh-police-confirms-active-shooter-at-synagogue-multiple-victims-reported |title=Pittsburgh synagogue shooting leaves 11 dead and 6 wounded; suspect hit with multiple charges |last1=Dedaj |first1=Paulina |last2=Joyce |first2=Kathleen |date=October 27, 2018 |publisher=Fox News |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027190444/https://www.foxnews.com/us/pittsburgh-police-confirms-active-shooter-at-synagogue-multiple-victims-reported |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} He also opined that the shooting was preventable: "If there was an armed guard inside the temple, they would have been able to stop him".{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/politics/trump-jba-death-penalty-pittsburgh/index.html|title=Trump says Pittsburgh synagogue should have had armed guards|first1=Caroline|last1=Kelly|first2=Ray|last2=Sanchez|first3=Liz|last3=Stark|publisher=CNN|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027195209/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/politics/trump-jba-death-penalty-pittsburgh/index.html|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/27/18032314/trump-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-tree-of-life|title=Trump laments Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, then suggests victims should have protected themselves|first=Emily|last=Stewart|date=October 27, 2018|newspaper=Vox|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027182808/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/27/18032314/trump-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-tree-of-life|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2018/10/28/a-massacre-in-pittsburgh-illustrates-americas-disunity |title=A massacre in Pittsburgh illustrates America's disunity |date=October 28, 2018 |newspaper=The Economist |author=Lexington |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028080527/https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2018/10/28/a-massacre-in-pittsburgh-illustrates-americas-disunity |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Trump suggested cases such as this call for the death penalty.

Cecilia Wang of the American Civil Liberties Union said the attack, along with other recent unrest, was inspired by elements of Trump's rhetoric.{{cite news |last=Nakamura|first=David|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-central-premise-of-his-presidency-critics-say-trump-has-fostered-the-toxic-environment-for-the-political-violence-he-denounces/2018/10/27/cd45e43e-da1e-11e8-a10f-b51546b10756_story.html |title=Critics say Trump has fostered the toxic environment for the political violence he denounces |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028022719/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-central-premise-of-his-presidency-critics-say-trump-has-fostered-the-toxic-environment-for-the-political-violence-he-denounces/2018/10/27/cd45e43e-da1e-11e8-a10f-b51546b10756_story.html |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Vice President Mike Pence denied any such connection in an NBC News interview that night.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-political-reaction/1798466002/ |title=Pittsburgh shooting: Mike Pence says no link to Trump's angry language |work=USA Today |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028175358/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-political-reaction/1798466002/ |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-dont-link-political-rhetoric-to-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/2018/10/28/df466f10-dab3-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html|title=Pence: Don't link political rhetoric o Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|last1=Sonmez|first1=Felicia|last2=Lee|first2=Michelle|date=October 28, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 28, 2018|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028170207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-dont-link-political-rhetoric-to-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/2018/10/28/df466f10-dab3-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Over 2,000 people, including many from the local Jewish community, protested against Trump's visit to the synagogue site, chanting "words have meaning", and carrying signs with such slogans as "We build bridges, not walls".{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-visit-pittsburgh-amid-funerals-calls-him-stay-102014037.html?.tsrc=fauxdal|title=Trump visits synagogue in Pittsburgh attack as protesters march|agency=Reuters|first=Jessica|last=Resnick-Ault|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005826/https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-visit-pittsburgh-amid-funerals-calls-him-stay-102014037.html?.tsrc=fauxdal|archive-date=November 22, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

From October 27 to 31, all U.S. flags on public and military grounds were flown at half-staff in memory of the victims.{{cite web |title=President Trump orders all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff |url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/President-Trump-orders-all-US-flags-be-flown-at-half-staff-570491 |website=The Jerusalem Post |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005402/https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/President-Trump-orders-all-US-flags-be-flown-at-half-staff-570491 |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On the Friday following the shooting, David Shribman, executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ran the opening of the Hebrew-Aramaic kaddish, often called the Jewish mourner's prayer, as a full-width front-page headline.{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/11/02/pittsburgh-post-gazette-front-page-newspaper-kaddish-mourners-prayer/stories/201811020126|title=About the Jewish mourners' prayer on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette front page|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028210918/https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/11/02/pittsburgh-post-gazette-front-page-newspaper-kaddish-mourners-prayer/stories/201811020126|url-status=live}}

The aftermath of the shooting included arguably the most ambitious and comprehensive effort ever taken to protect Jewish life in the United States, according to the New York Times. In addition to bringing in $100 million in federal grants through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NGSP), the Jewish Federations of North America raised $62 million to secure every Jewish community in North America, overseen by the Secure Community Network. By 2023, 93 Jewish federations had full-time security directors, a more than four-fold increase over the previous 5 years.{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Campbell |date=2023-05-29 |title=With Watchful Eyes, a Nationwide Network Tracks Antisemitic Threats |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/29/us/anti-semitic-attacks-jewish-secure-community-network.html |access-date=2023-10-15 |issn=0362-4331}}

The next year, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 83 of 2019 to establish the state's Nonprofit Security Grant Fund, a state-level version of the NGSP. Initially, $5 million in grant funding was available. After an increase in antisemitism during the Gaza war in 2023, the General Assembly increased the available funding to $10 million.{{cite news |last1=Sweitzer |first1=Justin |title=PA House passes $5M expansion of nonprofit security grant program |url=https://www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2023/11/pa-house-passes-5m-expansion-nonprofit-security-grant-program/391738/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=City & State |date=2023-11-02}} In the 5 years since its inception, the fund distributed $25 million to synagogues, mosques, and other nonprofit organizations.{{cite news |last1=Saffren |first1=Jarrad |title=Shapiro Wants to Increase Funding for Grant Program That Helps Synagogues |url=https://www.jewishexponent.com/shapiro-wants-to-increase-funding-for-grant-program-that-helps-synagogues/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=Jewish Exponent |date=2024-02-28}}

File:CMU lowered its flag because of the Jewish shooting in Pittsburgh 2018.jpg to mourn the victims.]]

File:People gathering in front of the Sixth Presbyterian Church for the 2018 Jewish pittsburgh shooting event.jpg

Immediately after the shooting, the campus of Carnegie Mellon University was placed on lockdown and all university-sponsored activities were cancelled for the day. At the same time residents were advised by police to remain in their homes and stay off the streets.

An unusually large proportion of the Pittsburgh Jewish community from all denominations participated in local Jewish rituals related to death and mourning. Jewish tradition requires a person to guard a corpse until it is buried. Shomrim (volunteer guards) took one-hour shifts at the Pittsburgh morgue until the bodies were moved to funeral homes. The Atlantic reported that "most of the volunteers appeared to be Orthodox, but they felt strong solidarity with the liberal communities that were directly affected by the shooting."{{cite web|last=Green|first=Emma|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/pittsburgh-jews-prepare-bury-eleven-killed-gunman/574342/|title=The Jews of Pittsburgh Bury Their Dead|work=The Atlantic|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030172844/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/pittsburgh-jews-prepare-bury-eleven-killed-gunman/574342/|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers attended the joint funeral service for the Rosenthal brothers on Tuesday, October 30, when NFL teams are traditionally off. The brothers, who were intellectually disabled, had a sister who is a former employee of the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25129290/pittsburgh-steelers-attend-funeral-brothers-killed-tree-life-synagogue-shooting|title=Steelers attend funeral for brothers killed in Tree of Life Synagogue shooting|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=November 1, 2018|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031013324/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25129290/pittsburgh-steelers-attend-funeral-brothers-killed-tree-life-synagogue-shooting|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

During the long wait for a trial, members of the Pittsburgh congregations received interfaith support and solidarity from black church and American Sikh communities targeted by violent hatred,Peter Smith, [https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-tree-of-life-new-light-dor-hadash-d570872f806ac26bb0efc40ccdb94ca9 Faith lifted Pittsburgh Jews in long wait for massacre trial], Associated Press (April 22, 2023). including members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina (targeted by a shooting attack in 2015) and the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin that had been targeted in a shooting attack in 2012.Alejandra Molina, [https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-tree-of-life-new-light-dor-hadash-d570872f806ac26bb0efc40ccdb94ca9 Faiths unite against gun violence on anniversary of Sikh temple shooting], Washington Post (August 4, 2022).

The Eiffel Tower in Paris darkened its lights in tribute to the victims of the shooting.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/413668-eiffel-tower-goes-dark-to-honor-pittsburgh-shooting-victims|title=Eiffel Tower goes dark to honor Pittsburgh shooting victims|first=Avery|last=Anapol|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|work=The Hill|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029225647/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/413668-eiffel-tower-goes-dark-to-honor-pittsburgh-shooting-victims|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the "horrifying antisemitic brutality", adding "the whole of Israel grieves with the families of the dead."{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/413482-netanyahu-condemns-horrifying-anti-semitic-brutality-after-pittsburgh|title=Netanyahu condemns 'horrifying anti-Semitic brutality' after Pittsburgh shooting|last=Bowden|first=John|date=October 27, 2018|work=The Hill|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028000546/https://thehill.com/policy/international/413482-netanyahu-condemns-horrifying-anti-semitic-brutality-after-pittsburgh|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Israel's education and diaspora affairs minister, Naftali Bennett, immediately left for Pittsburgh to visit the synagogue, meet with community members, and participate in the funerals of the victims,{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-jewish-leaders-lament-pittsburgh-shooting-as-deadliest-attack-on-community-1.6595792|title='Deadliest Attack on Jewish Community in U.S. History': Jewish Leaders Lament Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting|last=Maltz|first=Judy|date=October 27, 2018|work=Haaretz|access-date=October 28, 2018|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027225007/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-jewish-leaders-lament-pittsburgh-shooting-as-deadliest-attack-on-community-1.6595792|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and directed the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs "to assess and prepare to assist the Pittsburgh Jewish community, 'including the need for emergency and resilience teams that immediately left Israel for psychological assistance and community rehabilitation.'"{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pittsburgh-shooting-israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahyu-condemns-antisemitic-sends-official-a8605256.html|title=Israeli PM Netanyahu condemns 'horrendous anti-Semitic brutality' of Pittsburgh shooting|last=O'Grady|first=Siobhán|work=The Independent|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028143927/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pittsburgh-shooting-israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahyu-condemns-antisemitic-sends-official-a8605256.html|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-heartbroken-and-appalled-by-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/|title=Netanyahu: 'Heartbroken and appalled' by Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|last=Wootliff|first=Raoul|date=October 27, 2018|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027212514/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-heartbroken-and-appalled-by-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/10/27/us/ap-us-shooting-synagogue-reaction.html|title=Religious Leaders, Others Express Horror at Synagogue Attack|date=October 27, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029030927/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/10/27/us/ap-us-shooting-synagogue-reaction.html|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Israel's cabinet stood for a moment's silence on October 28 to honor the victims.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting-israel/israeli-cabinet-honors-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-idUSKCN1N209Z|title=Israeli cabinet honors victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|date=October 28, 2018|work=Reuters|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028134234/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting-israel/israeli-cabinet-honors-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-idUSKCN1N209Z|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau said "any murder of any Jew in any part of the world for being Jewish is unforgivable".{{cite web |title=Chief rabbi says it doesn't matter if Pittsburgh's Tree of Life is a synagogue |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-chief-rabbi-wont-call-pittsburghs-tree-of-life-a-synagogue/ |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029032815/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-chief-rabbi-wont-call-pittsburghs-tree-of-life-a-synagogue/ |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |date=October 29, 2018}} He described the location as "a place with a profound Jewish flavor". Many news reports said he refused to refer to the Conservative congregation as a "synagogue" since it is non-Orthodox.{{cite web|url=https://forward.com/life/faith/413035/israel-chief-rabbi-didnt-dismiss-conservative-synagogues-stop-twisting/|title=Israel Chief Rabbi Didn't Dismiss Progressive Synagogues. Stop Twisting Words To Sow Division.|work=The Forward|first=Avital|last=Chizhik-Goldschmidt| date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035629/https://forward.com/life/faith/413035/israel-chief-rabbi-didnt-dismiss-conservative-synagogues-stop-twisting/|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Prominent non-Orthodox Israeli religious leaders and scholars rejected his statement.{{Cite news|url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/412889/israel-chief-rabbi-wont-say-pittsburgh-shooting-synagogue-orthodox/|title=Israel Chief Rabbi Won't Call Pittsburgh Shooting Site 'Synagogue' — Because It's Not Orthodox|work=The Forward|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152122/https://forward.com/fast-forward/412889/israel-chief-rabbi-wont-say-pittsburgh-shooting-synagogue-orthodox/|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-s-chief-rabbi-refuses-to-call-pittsburgh-massacre-site-a-synagogue-1.6601043|title=Israel's Chief Rabbi Refuses to Call Pittsburgh Massacre Site a Synagogue Because It's non-Orthodox|last=Maltz|first=Judy|date=October 28, 2018|work=Haaretz|access-date=October 28, 2018|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028182055/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-s-chief-rabbi-refuses-to-call-pittsburgh-massacre-site-a-synagogue-1.6601043|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-was-widely-reported-israel-not-all-media-noted-it-took-place-synagogue/|title=Pittsburgh shooting was widely reported in Israel, but not all media noted it took place in a synagogue|last=Eglash|first=Ruth|date=October 28, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028213026/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-was-widely-reported-israel-not-all-media-noted-it-took-place-synagogue/|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Tel Aviv Municipality lit the city hall building with the colors of the American flag in solidarity with the victims of the Pittsburgh attack.{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/synagogue-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-what-we-know-about-alleged-pittsburgh-gunman-11537976|title=Synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers: What we know about alleged Pittsburgh gunman|date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Sky News|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029030938/https://news.sky.com/story/synagogue-shooting-suspect-robert-bowers-what-we-know-about-alleged-pittsburgh-gunman-11537976|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/tel-aviv-city-hall-lights-up-in-solidarity-with-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-victims/2018/10/28/|title=Tel Aviv City Hall Lights Up in Solidarity with Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Victims|last=Julian|first=Hana|date=October 28, 2018|work=JewishPress.com|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029034253/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/tel-aviv-city-hall-lights-up-in-solidarity-with-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-victims/2018/10/28/|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} An image of the Israeli flag next to the American flag was projected onto Jerusalem's Western Wall.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/413568-projection-on-wall-in-jerusalems-old-city-supports-pittsburgh-synagogue|title=Projection on wall in Jerusalem's Old City pays tribute to Pittsburgh synagogue victims|last=Birnbaum|first=Emily|date=October 28, 2018|work=The Hill|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029042436/https://thehill.com/policy/international/413568-projection-on-wall-in-jerusalems-old-city-supports-pittsburgh-synagogue|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Pope Francis denounced the "inhuman act of violence" in his Sunday prayers in St. Peter's Square on October 28, and led prayers for the dead and wounded, as well as their families. He asked God "to help us to extinguish the flames of hatred that develop in our societies".{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pittsburgh-shooting-pope-francis-grieves-for-jewish-victims-in-synagogue-shooting/|title=Pope Francis grieves for Jewish victims in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|agency=Associated Press|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|work=CBS News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028154445/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pittsburgh-shooting-pope-francis-grieves-for-jewish-victims-in-synagogue-shooting/|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims of the shooting, and said "Extremism and terrorism know no race or religion, and must be condemned in all cases".TOI Staff (October 29, 2018) [https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-zarif-offers-thoughts-and-prayers-over-synagogue-massacre/ "Iran's Zarif Offers Thoughts and Prayers Over Synagogue Massacre"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827022901/https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-zarif-offers-thoughts-and-prayers-over-synagogue-massacre/ |date=August 27, 2021 }}, The Times of Israel. Retrieved August 26, 2021.

Hamas offered condolences and condemned the attack, noting that they could relate as being "victims of Israeli terror". Hamas had previously expressed support for shootings at synagogues in Israel.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-denounces-pittsburgh-shooting-claims-its-a-victim-of-israeli-terror/|title=Hamas denounces Pittsburgh shooting, claims it's a 'victim of Israeli terror'|work=The Times of Israel|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133256/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-denounces-pittsburgh-shooting-claims-its-a-victim-of-israeli-terror/|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite web | url=https://hamas.ps/en/post/1646/Hamas-condemns-terror-attack-on-Pittsburgh-Synagogue | title=Hamas condemns terror attack on Pittsburgh Synagogue | date=October 28, 2018 | access-date=December 3, 2021 | archive-date=December 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203082651/https://hamas.ps/en/post/1646/Hamas-condemns-terror-attack-on-Pittsburgh-Synagogue | url-status=live }}

Jan Kickert, Austrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: "The attack ... was an attack on all of us, on what we stand for – religious liberty, human rights. We are committed to the safety and security of Jews wherever they are. I say this with growing up and living with the shame that my forefathers were among the worst perpetrators in Nazi times."Kenneth Bandler (17 December 2018).[https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/On-My-Mind-Shattered-glass-574594 "On My Mind: Shattered glass,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042536/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/On-My-Mind-Shattered-glass-574594 |date=February 2, 2019 }} The Jerusalem Post.

File:Posters outside a coffee shop at squirrel hill in response to the synagogue shooting.jpg

The New York Times published an op-ed by Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, that urged readers to fight against antisemitism and hate.Greenblatt, Jonathan. [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/opinion/synagogue-shooting-pittsburgh-anti-defamation-league.html "When Hate Goes Mainstream."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028213025/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/opinion/synagogue-shooting-pittsburgh-anti-defamation-league.html |date=October 28, 2018 }} The New York Times. October 28, 2018. October 28, 2018.

A CNN editorial described the shooting as one of three hate-incited acts that took place in the United States in the same week, along with a series of mail bombing attempts and a shooting at a Kroger grocery store in Jeffersontown, Kentucky.{{cite web |last1=Sanchez |first1=Ray |last2=Gray |first2=Melissa |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/72-hours-of-hate-in-america/index.html |title=72 hours in America: Three hate-filled crimes. Three hate-filled suspects. |website=CNN |date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170354/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/72-hours-of-hate-in-america/index.html |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On October 28, the Empire State Building darkened its lights in honor of the victims. According to the building's Twitter account, the top of the spire was left aglow with "an orange halo shining a light on gun violence awareness".{{cite web|url=https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14223703-74/empire-state-building-goes-dark-to-honor-squirrel-hill-synagogue-victims|title=Empire State Building goes dark to honor Squirrel Hill synagogue victims|first=Matt|last=Rosenberg|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018|work=TribLive|archive-date=February 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031856/https://archive.triblive.com/ccpa/|url-status=live}} In the wake of the shooting, the University of Pittsburgh darkened its traditional Victory Lights atop of the Cathedral of Learning,{{cite news|url=https://www.cardiachill.com/2018/10/28/18035454/pittsburgh-panthers-football-cfb-victory-lights-dark-squirrel-hill-shooting-tree-of-life-synagogue|title=Pitt darkens Victory Lights as city mourns tragedy|first=Mike|last=Wilson|website=Cardiachill.com|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004743/https://www.cardiachill.com/2018/10/28/18035454/pittsburgh-panthers-football-cfb-victory-lights-dark-squirrel-hill-shooting-tree-of-life-synagogue|archive-date=November 6, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and on November 2, the university altered the Victory Lights so the blue beam would shine for 11 seconds, one second for each fatality.{{cite news|url=https://937thefan.radio.com/articles/pitt-uva-football-honor-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims|title=Pitt and UVA Honored Synagogue Shooting Victims on Friday Night|website=937theFan.radio.com|date=November 3, 2018|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106010207/https://937thefan.radio.com/articles/pitt-uva-football-honor-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims|archive-date=November 6, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Sports teams that observed a moment of silence for the shooting victims included the Pittsburgh Steelers at their home game against the Cleveland Browns,{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-steelers-honor-victims-synagogue-attack/1799640002/|title=Steelers hold moment of silence for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims|first=Mike|last=Jones|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|work=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028212457/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/28/pittsburgh-shooting-steelers-honor-victims-synagogue-attack/1799640002/|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} the New Orleans Saints at the Minnesota Vikings,{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4605685/minnesota-vikings-new-orleans-saints-hold-moment-of-silence-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims|title=Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints hold moment of silence for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|work=Global News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029072855/https://globalnews.ca/video/4605685/minnesota-vikings-new-orleans-saints-hold-moment-of-silence-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Vancouver Canucks,{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4604813/pittsburgh-penguins-vancouver-canucks-hold-moment-of-silence-for-synagogue-shooting-victims|title=Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks hold moment of silence for synagogue shooting victims|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|work=Global News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029071819/https://globalnews.ca/video/4604813/pittsburgh-penguins-vancouver-canucks-hold-moment-of-silence-for-synagogue-shooting-victims|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} the Winnipeg Jets at the Toronto Maple Leafs,{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4603686/toronto-maple-leafs-winnipeg-jets-hold-moment-of-silence-for-pittsburgh-shooting-victims|title=Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets hold moment of silence for Pittsburgh shooting victims|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|work=Global News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029072733/https://globalnews.ca/video/4603686/toronto-maple-leafs-winnipeg-jets-hold-moment-of-silence-for-pittsburgh-shooting-victims|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars playing in London,{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-international-series/0ap3000000978821/Moment-of-silence-held-prior-to-the-Eagles-Jaguars-game|title=Moment of silence held prior to the Eagles Jaguars game|date=October 28, 2018|publisher=National Football League|access-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035409/http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-international-series/0ap3000000978821/Moment-of-silence-held-prior-to-the-Eagles-Jaguars-game|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and the Pittsburgh Panthers hosting Duke at Heinz Field. A moment of silence was also observed before Game 4 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on the night of October 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25100302/pittsburgh-athletes-teams-express-support-wake-deadly-synagogue-shooting|title=Pittsburgh stars, teams express support in wake of deadly synagogue shooting|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029071549/http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25100302/pittsburgh-athletes-teams-express-support-wake-deadly-synagogue-shooting|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

The Pittsburgh Penguins wore jerseys with a patch that read "Stronger Than Hate" for their game against the New York Islanders on October 30. The team announced that, following the game, the team would auction off the jerseys on behalf of the synagogue.{{cite news |last1=Bombulie |first1=Jonathan |title=Penguins to wear jersey patches to honor Squirrel Hill shooting victims |url=https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/14229594-74/penguins-to-wear-jersey-patches-to-honor-squirrel-hill-shooting-victims |access-date=October 30, 2018 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133030/https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/14229594-74/penguins-to-wear-jersey-patches-to-honor-squirrel-hill-shooting-victims |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Similarly, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team displayed a "Stronger than Hate" decal on their helmets during the November 2 game visiting the University of Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-10-31/pittsburgh-football-panthers-honor-tree-life-victims-helmet-decal|title=Pittsburgh football to wear 'Pittsburgh Strong' helmet decal to honor Tree of Life victims - NCAA.com|date=October 31, 2018|website=ncaa.com|access-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210540/https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-10-31/pittsburgh-football-panthers-honor-tree-life-victims-helmet-decal|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

NFL player Terrell Suggs wore a Star of David on his cleats during a game in October 2019 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the shooting.{{cite web |last=Ghermezian |first=Shiryn |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/29/nfl-player-wears-star-of-david-on-cleats-in-memory-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-victims/ |title=NFL Player Wears Star of David on Cleats In Memory of Pittsburgh Shooting Victims | Jewish & Israel News |publisher=Algemeiner.com |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=2020-01-19 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212034457/https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/29/nfl-player-wears-star-of-david-on-cleats-in-memory-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre-victims/ |url-status=live }}

File:David Star Knittings on Sq Hill.jpg and hung them along Murray Avenue.]]

On the evening of the shooting, over 3,000 people gathered at the intersection of Murray and Forbes avenues in Squirrel Hill for an interfaith candlelight vigil; it was organized by students from nearby Taylor Allderdice High School.{{cite news |last1=Pitz |first1=Marylynne |last2=Smith |first2=Peter |title=Thousands gather for vigil honoring victims in Squirrel Hill shooting |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/27/Two-vigils-planned-pittsburgh-mass-shooting-tree-of-life-synagogue/stories/201810270084 |access-date=October 27, 2018 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028045806/https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/27/Two-vigils-planned-pittsburgh-mass-shooting-tree-of-life-synagogue/stories/201810270084 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Two additional vigils were held in the neighborhood.

The day after the shooting, an interfaith vigil organized by the regional Jewish Federation was held at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, drawing an overflow crowd estimated at 2,500.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/29/thousands-at-memorial-for-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre.html|title=In Pittsburgh's 'darkest hour,' 2,500 attend synagogue massacre memorial|agency=Reuters|website=CNBC|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029031607/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/29/thousands-at-memorial-for-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre.html|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Attended by numerous national and local dignitaries, the event featured several speakers, including the rabbis of the three congregations that occupied the synagogue building, Islamic and Christian clergy, and civic leaders.{{cite web|url=https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/vigil-to-be-held-in-oakland-for-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/861714346|title=PITTSBURGH SHOOTING: Vigil to be held in Oakland for victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|date=October 28, 2018|publisher=WPXI News}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Among those in attendance were Bill Peduto, mayor of Pittsburgh; Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County executive; Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey; Governor Tom Wolf; Naftali Bennett, Israeli Minister for Education and Minister for Diaspora Affairs; Ron Dermer, Israeli ambassador to the United States; and Danny Danon, permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations. A video was streamed during the event featuring Israeli president Reuven Rivlin,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ92z_jGf9w|title=Vigil for Pittsburgh shooting victims|date=October 28, 2018|publisher=NBC News|access-date=October 28, 2018|via=YouTube|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030185729/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ92z_jGf9w|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} who offered brief remarks and led the crowd in a recitation of the Kaddish.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/2018/10/the_latest_feds_seeking_approval_to_pursue_death_penalty|title=The Latest: Feds seeking approval to pursue death penalty|date=October 28, 2018|work=Boston Herald|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029015319/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/2018/10/the_latest_feds_seeking_approval_to_pursue_death_penalty|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253899|title=Rivlin: We can never afford to ignore anti-Semitism|date=October 28, 2018|work=Arutz Sheva|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029071549/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253899|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In the week following the attack, Jewish and interfaith communal vigils and solidarity rallies were held across the world.{{cite web |title=Vigils held nationwide to honor victims of Squirrel Hill synagogue shooting |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=October 28, 2018 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/10/28/Vigils-held-nationwide-to-honor-victims-of-Squirrel-Hill-synagogue-shooting-tree-of-life-mass-shooting-pittsburgh-jewish/stories/201810280238 |access-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031033830/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/10/28/Vigils-held-nationwide-to-honor-victims-of-Squirrel-Hill-synagogue-shooting-tree-of-life-mass-shooting-pittsburgh-jewish/stories/201810280238 |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | title=Vigils held around the Jewish world for Pittsburgh shooting victims | website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency | date=October 29, 2018 | url=https://www.jta.org/2018/10/29/top-headlines/vigils-held-around-jewish-world-pittsburgh-shooting-victims | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030015226/https://www.jta.org/2018/10/29/top-headlines/vigils-held-around-jewish-world-pittsburgh-shooting-victims | archive-date=October 30, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} In the United States, these were attended by hundreds or thousands of people,{{cite web |title=Why Pittsburgh matters – Religion News Service |url=https://religionnews.com/2018/10/28/tree-of-life-pittsburgh/ |website=Religion News Service |access-date=November 1, 2018 |date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029015417/https://religionnews.com/2018/10/28/tree-of-life-pittsburgh/ |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} in many cities across the nation.{{efn|These included Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Charleston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Middletown, New Haven, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Rochester, Salt Lake City, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington, Wilkes-Barre and Woodbridge.{{cite web | last=Hilliard | first=John | title=Emotional vigil in Boston brings people together to mourn Pittsburgh synagogue victims | website=Boston Globe | date=October 28, 2018 | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/28/local-vigils-planned-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/wgiBf7RtA1XPlkvNIpDV0I/story.html | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015645/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/28/local-vigils-planned-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/wgiBf7RtA1XPlkvNIpDV0I/story.html | archive-date=November 1, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | last=MacDonald | first=Evan | title=Greater Cleveland's Jewish community denounces hatred, calls for solidarity at vigil for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims | website=The Plain Dealer | date=October 30, 2018 | url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2018/10/greater-clevelands-jewish-community-denounces-hatred-calls-for-solidarity-at-vigil-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims.html | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015703/https://www.cleveland.com/news/2018/10/greater-clevelands-jewish-community-denounces-hatred-calls-for-solidarity-at-vigil-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims.html | archive-date=November 1, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | last=Hensley | first=Nicole | title=Thousands gather at Jewish Community Center to pray, sing for Pittsburgh shooting victims | website=Houston Chronicle | date=October 28, 2018 | url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Thousands-gather-at-Jewish-Community-Center-to-13343851.php | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015618/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Thousands-gather-at-Jewish-Community-Center-to-13343851.php | archive-date=November 1, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | last=Imlay | first=Ashley | title='Stronger together': Utah Jewish community, leaders unite after Pittsburgh shooting | website=Deseret News | date=October 29, 2018 | url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900039488/stronger-together-utah-jewish-community-leaders-unite-after-pittsburgh-shooting.html | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030070757/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900039488/stronger-together-utah-jewish-community-leaders-unite-after-pittsburgh-shooting.html | archive-date=October 30, 2018 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | title=St. Louis Jewish community holds interfaith vigil for Pittsburgh victims | website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=October 28, 2018 | url=https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/st-louis-jewish-community-holds-interfaith-vigil-for-pittsburgh-victims/collection_f750c3bd-d4c6-57a3-9ee1-baa18acfc59b.html | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-date=April 29, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429042642/https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/st-louis-jewish-community-holds-interfaith-vigil-for-pittsburgh-victims/collection_f750c3bd-d4c6-57a3-9ee1-baa18acfc59b.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Lee | first=Peggy | title=Vigil Held at Wilkes-Barre JCC for Synagogue Shooting Victims | website=WNEP | date=October 30, 2018 | url=https://wnep.com/2018/10/29/vigil-held-at-wilkes-barre-jcc-for-synagogue-shooting-victims/ | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030070507/https://wnep.com/2018/10/29/vigil-held-at-wilkes-barre-jcc-for-synagogue-shooting-victims/ | archive-date=October 30, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | title=Support, love, candles at Knoxville vigil remembering Pittsburgh shooting | website=Knoxville News Sentinel | date=October 30, 2018 | url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2018/10/29/knoxville-vigil-arnstein-jewish-pittsburgh-shooting/1808409002/ | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101102531/https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2018/10/29/knoxville-vigil-arnstein-jewish-pittsburgh-shooting/1808409002/ | archive-date=November 1, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}}} In Canada, they were held in Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and other places. In Israel, approximately 500 Americans and Israelis lit candles on the night of October 28 at Zion Square in Jerusalem. In Europe, Jewish communal vigils were held in London, Liverpool, Brighton, and Paris.{{cite web |last1=Sugarman |first1=Daniel |title=UK Jewish communal vigils to take place in response to Pittsburgh synagogue attack |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/uk-jewish-communal-vigils-planned-in-response-to-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack-1.471670 |website=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=October 31, 2018 |date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015637/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/uk-jewish-communal-vigils-planned-in-response-to-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack-1.471670 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}Donadio, Rachel. [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/10/frances-jews-pray-pittsburgh/574492/ "France's Jews Look to Pittsburgh 'Across a Narrow Bridge'".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031214913/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/10/frances-jews-pray-pittsburgh/574492/ |date=October 31, 2018 }} The Atlantic. October 31, 2018. October 31, 2018.

College students at more than one hundred campuses across the country held vigils in the days following the shootings in memory of the victims.{{cite web | title=Jewish College Students at Dozens of Hillels on Campuses Across the Country Hold Vigils in Remembrance of Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims | website=Hillel International | date=October 29, 2018 | url=https://www.hillel.org/about/news-views/news-views---blog/news-and-views/2018/10/29/jewish-college-students-at-dozens-of-hillels-on-campuses-across-the-country-hold-vigils-in-remembrance-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims | access-date=October 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101055205/https://www.hillel.org/about/news-views/news-views---blog/news-and-views/2018/10/29/jewish-college-students-at-dozens-of-hillels-on-campuses-across-the-country-hold-vigils-in-remembrance-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-victims | archive-date=November 1, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}

The American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Federations of North America called for both Jews and non-Jews to attend synagogue services on the Shabbat following the attack, under the hashtag #ShowUpForShabbat. NBC News reported thousands of people around the world attended services in local synagogues, community centers, and college campuses, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/thousands-across-globe-showupforshabbat-honor-squirrel-hill-victims-n930851|title=Thousands across the globe #ShowUpForShabbat to honor Squirrel Hill victims|first1=Ezra|last1=Kaplan|first2=Phil|last2=McCausland|date=November 4, 2018|access-date=November 4, 2018|work=NBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104004256/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/thousands-across-globe-showupforshabbat-honor-squirrel-hill-victims-n930851|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Additionally, many congregations recited the prayer for martyrs Av HaRachamim even though it would normally be omitted that Shabbat.{{cite web |last1=Sales |first1=Ben |title=This Pittsburgh rabbi lost 3 congregants in the shooting. Here's how he is observing Shabbat. |url=https://www.jta.org/2018/11/02/united-states/this-pittsburgh-rabbi-lost-3-congregants-in-the-shooting-heres-how-he-is-observing-shabbat |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=November 2, 2018 |access-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903225519/https://www.jta.org/2018/11/02/united-states/this-pittsburgh-rabbi-lost-3-congregants-in-the-shooting-heres-how-he-is-observing-shabbat |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Albert |first1=Gershon |title=Remembering the Victims of the Pittsburgh Shooting – Notes from #ShowUpForShabbat |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/gershon-albert/remembering-the-victims-of-the-pittsburgh-shooting-notes-from-showupforshabbat/727933684232959/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426103111/https://www.facebook.com/notes/gershon-albert/remembering-the-victims-of-the-pittsburgh-shooting-notes-from-showupforshabbat/727933684232959/ |url-status=live }} As of 2024, the massacre is still being commemorated.

• {{cite web| website=Patch |url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/falmouth/calendar/event/20241027/a6340b05-ee50-4552-bf0d-7cfdb90daa4b/a-tree-of-life-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-october-27-4-6-pm |title=A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting October 27, 4 - 6 pm}}
• {{cite news |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-pittsburgh-jews-attack-anniversary-adds-to-an-already-grim-october |title=For Pittsburgh Jews, attack anniversary adds to an already grim October |date=October 5, 2024 |access-date=October 12, 2024 |quote='The trauma runs deep in our community,' says local rabbi, in reference to 2018 Tree of Life killings. 'You can’t separate Jews attacked in Pittsburgh and Jews attacked in Israel'}}
• {{cite news |work=Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle |url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/volunteering-preserves-memories-and-betters-community-ahead-of-oct-27 |title=Volunteering preserves memories and betters community ahead of Oct. 27 |date=October 11, 2024 |access-date=October 12, 2024}}

File:President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Travel to Pittsburgh.jpg and First Lady Melania disembark Air Force One at Pittsburgh International Airport]]

On October 30, Trump flew to Pittsburgh on Air Force One, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. They went to the synagogue, where they met with Tree of Life spiritual leader Jeffrey Myers and Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer. Trump lit candles for the victims inside and outside placed stones on each of the 11 Star-of-David markers of the memorial. The group went to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where Trump spoke with wounded victims, their families, law enforcement officials, and medical staff.

Trump's visit was discouraged by some in the Pittsburgh community. Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto said Trump should not have come, as the wounds were raw and the community was just beginning to mourn and hold funerals.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/us/funerals-synagogue-shooting-jewish.html|title=Trump Arrives in Pittsburgh as Many Make Clear His Visit Isn't Welcome|work=The New York Times|date=October 30, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018}} Peduto, with agreement from Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald, also urged Trump to consider "the wills of the families" of the deceased.{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/29/Pittsburgh-Squirrel-Hill-mass-shooting-Donald-Trump-visit-Bill-Peduto-request/stories/201810290124|title=Peduto to White House: Talk to shooting victims' families before presidential visit|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|first=Adam|last=Smeltz|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031001226/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/29/Pittsburgh-Squirrel-Hill-mass-shooting-Donald-Trump-visit-Bill-Peduto-request/stories/201810290124|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} More than 70,000 people had signed an open letter written by Bend the Arc: Pittsburgh saying that Trump was not welcome until he "fully denounces white nationalism".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46035970|title=Pittsburgh shooting: First of 11 funerals held for victims|publisher=BBC|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030222212/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46035970|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} One of the survivors, Dan Leger, refused to meet Trump in the hospital and later wrote a critical op-ed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2021/01/20/An-open-letter-to-Trump-on-his-retirement-by-a-Tree-of-Life-survivor/stories/202101200031 Former Tree of Life president Lynette Lederman opposed Trump's visit, saying she felt his words were "hypocritical" and that "We have people who stand by us who believe in values, not just Jewish values, but believe in values, and those are not the values of this president, and I do not welcome him to Pittsburgh".{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/10/29/lynette-lederman-trump-not-welcome-pittsburgh-intv-newday-sot-vpx.cnn|title=Former synagogue president: Trump not welcome|publisher=CNN|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030034344/https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/10/29/lynette-lederman-trump-not-welcome-pittsburgh-intv-newday-sot-vpx.cnn|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/413583-former-president-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-says-trump-not-welcome-he-is|work=The Hill|first=Avery|last=Anapol|title=synagogue says Trump not welcome: 'He is the purveyor of hate speech'|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029180137/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/413583-former-president-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-says-trump-not-welcome-he-is|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Before Trump's visit, Tree of Life rabbi Jeffrey Myers said,

"There is hate, and it isn't going away. It just seems to be getting worse. ... We've got to stop hate, and it can't just be to say we need to stop hate. We need to do, we need to act to tone down rhetoric," adding that he would welcome a visit from Trump.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tree-life-rabbi-says-nation-s-leaders-need-tone-down-n925566|title=Tree of Life rabbi says nation's leaders need to 'tone down rhetoric' in fight against hate|publisher=NBC News|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031034428/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tree-life-rabbi-says-nation-s-leaders-need-tone-down-n925566|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Among American neo-Nazis and white supremacists, figures such as Richard B. Spencer, Andrew Anglin, and Matthew Heimbach expressed fear that the backlash over the attack could derail their efforts to gain mainstream political acceptance.

4chan users on the /pol/ board viewed the attack as "accidentally redpilling" people and denied that it had occurred. They claimed the purported attack was a "false flag" committed by Jews to gain sympathy. Some users on Gab praised the shooting and created the hashtag #HeroRobertBowers to express support for the shooter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/some-neo-nazis-lament-the-pittsburgh-massacre-it-derails-their-efforts-to-be-mainstream/2018/10/30/3163fd9c-dc5f-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html|title=Some neo-Nazis lament the Pittsburgh massacre: It derails their efforts to be mainstream|first1=Abigal|last1=Hauslohner|first2=Abby|last2=Olhlheiser|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=January 10, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129153147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/some-neo-nazis-lament-the-pittsburgh-massacre-it-derails-their-efforts-to-be-mainstream/2018/10/30/3163fd9c-dc5f-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html|archive-date=November 29, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|url-access=limited}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/10/29/inside-the-online-cesspool-of-anti-semitism-that-housed-robert-bowers-221949|title=Inside the Online Cesspool of Anti-Semitism That Housed Robert Bowers|first=Rita|last=Katz|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=January 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120225611/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/10/29/inside-the-online-cesspool-of-anti-semitism-that-housed-robert-bowers-221949|archive-date=January 20, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/the-jews-should-count-themselves-lucky-extremists-reaction-to-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting|title="The Jews Should Count Themselves Lucky" Extremists React to Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting|date=October 27, 2018|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=January 10, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On August 10, 2023, Hardy Carroll Lloyd, a man from Follansbee, West Virginia, was arrested for allegedly making threats towards the jurors and witnesses in Bowers's federal trial on social media and in emails and online comments. According to prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, Lloyd was a "self-proclaimed 'reverend' of a White supremacy movement". He also allegedly expressed support for Bowers and the shooting and had encouraged similar attacks.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-trial-threats-arrest-hardy-lloyd/index.html|title=Man arrested after 'engaging in threatening conduct' toward jurors and witnesses in Pittsburgh synagogue shooter trial, prosecutors say|publisher=CNN|last1=Brown|first1=Nicki|date=August 10, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-trial-threats-c0d880686fb0bd8151e25b62f4690199|title=White supremacist admits threatening jury and witnesses in Pittsburgh synagogue shooter's trial|publisher=AP News|date=September 19, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}} Lloyd was charged with "obstruction of the due administration of justice, transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce and witness tampering."{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/white-supremacist-arrested-threatening-pittsburgh-synagogue-jury-witnesses/story?id=102172686|work=ABC News|last1=Katersky|first1=Aaron|title=White supremacist arrested for threatening Pittsburgh synagogue jury, witnesses: Feds |date=August 10, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}} On September 19, 2023, he pleaded guilty and is expected to face more than six years in prison.

Numerous fundraising efforts were launched in order to assist the survivors of the shooting, pay for the burial of the victims, and pay for the repairs to the synagogue. As of November 1, a GoFundMe campaign which was initiated by an Iranian graduate student in Washington, D.C., had exceeded US$1 million in donations,{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/Tree-Life-fundraising-Shay-Khatiri-GoFundMe-donations-million-dollars-Pittsburgh/stories/201811010133|title=Iranian raises $1 million for Tree of Life, gets showered with offers of Steelers, Penguins tickets|first=Gary|last=Rotstein|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103083154/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/01/Tree-Life-fundraising-Shay-Khatiri-GoFundMe-donations-million-dollars-Pittsburgh/stories/201811010133|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and a new goal of US$1.2 million has also been surpassed. Muslim groups opened a LaunchGood crowdfunding campaign to help pay for the burial of the victims and survivors' medical bills, with the funds to be distributed by the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-u-s-muslims-raise-190-000-for-burial-of-pittsburgh-victims-1.6610817|title=U.S. Muslims Raise $190,000 for Burial of Jewish Pittsburgh Victims|first=Samira|last=Sadeque|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|work=Haaretz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030235735/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-u-s-muslims-raise-190-000-for-burial-of-pittsburgh-victims-1.6610817|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/412885/muslims-raise-more-than-180k-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-victims/|title=Muslims Raise More Than $180K For Pittsburgh Synagogue Victims|first=Alyssa|last=Fisher|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|work=The Forward|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030233404/https://forward.com/fast-forward/412885/muslims-raise-more-than-180k-for-pittsburgh-synagogue-victims/|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} As of November 1, that campaign had exceeded its goal of $150,000 with more than $225,000 in contributions.

The organizers of the campaign announced that all excess funds would be "spent on projects that help foster Muslim-Jewish collaboration, dialogue, and solidarity".{{cite web|url=https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslims_unite_for_pittsburgh_synagogue#!/|title=Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue|publisher=LaunchGood|year=2018|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107012357/https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslims_unite_for_pittsburgh_synagogue#!/|archive-date=November 7, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh raised $3.65 million for victims by November 13;{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/11/13/Jewish-Federation-readying-to-distribute-donations-to-Tree-of-Life-shooting-victims-Jewish-Federation-of-Greater-Pittsburgh-funds-money/stories/201811130176|title=Jewish Federation readying to distribute donations to Tree of Life shooting victims|first=Andrew|last=Goldstein|date=November 14, 2018|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035313/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/11/13/Jewish-Federation-readying-to-distribute-donations-to-Tree-of-Life-shooting-victims-Jewish-Federation-of-Greater-Pittsburgh-funds-money/stories/201811130176|archive-date=November 18, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} donations to that organization were to be matched by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/29/Tree-of-Life-fundraising-synagogue-Pittsburgh-shootings-GoFundMe-donations-Khatiri/stories/201810290148|title=In the wake of tragedy, more than $1 million in donations pours in|first=Gary|last=Rotstein|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005307/http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/29/Tree-of-Life-fundraising-synagogue-Pittsburgh-shootings-GoFundMe-donations-Khatiri/stories/201810290148|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Fundraising campaigns for shooting victims in the Dor Hadash and New Light congregations raised nearly $23,000 combined.{{cite news |work=The Forward |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/413552/as-tree-of-life-gofundme-hits-1m-other-synagogues-affected-get-left-behind/ |title=As Tree Of Life GoFundMe Hits $1M, Other Synagogues Affected Get Left Behind |first=Aiden |last=Pink |date=4 November 2018 |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120234102/https://forward.com/fast-forward/413552/as-tree-of-life-gofundme-hits-1m-other-synagogues-affected-get-left-behind/ |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

A $6.3 million fund was raised for the survivors of the shooting, the families of the 11 dead, and police officers.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Peter |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Millions from Tree of Life donations go to survivors, congregations, and police |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/03/05/Tree-of-Life-Synagogue-Pittsburgh-shooting-massacre-compensation-victims-fund-Robert-Bowers/stories/201903050086 |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401005333/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/03/05/Tree-of-Life-Synagogue-Pittsburgh-shooting-massacre-compensation-victims-fund-Robert-Bowers/stories/201903050086 |archive-date=April 1, 2019}}

In 2022, A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting documentary was released by HBO Documentary Films.{{Cite web |title=Tree of Life shooting survivors' stories told in documentary |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/tree-life-shooting-survivors-stories-told-documentary-93615902 |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213064108/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/tree-life-shooting-survivors-stories-told-documentary-93615902 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Han |first1=Angie |date=2022-10-25 |title='A Tree of Life' Review: Synagogue Shooting Doc Goes Light on Politics, Deep on Humanity |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-tree-of-life-hbo-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-documentary-1235247724/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213064109/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-tree-of-life-hbo-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-documentary-1235247724/ |url-status=live }}

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• [https://www.tolols.org/ Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180406194116/http://dorhadash.net/ {{tooltip|2=Archived|Congregation Dor Hadash official website}}]
• [https://newlightcongregation.org New Light Congregation official website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ92z_jGf9w Vigil for Pittsburgh shooting victims]

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