Synagogue shooter hit with 29 hate crime charges
Federal indictment against Robert Bowers includes 11 counts of obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death
The man suspected of killing 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh has been charged with hate crimes following the massacre at the Pittsburgh house of worship.
Federal prosecutors said Robert Bowers was charged Saturday night in a 29-count criminal complaint, including 11 counts of obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death.
It wasn’t immediately known if he has an attorney.
The charges also include 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder, weapons offenses and charges alleging Bowers seriously injured police officers while obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs.
“The crimes of violence are based upon the federal civil rights laws prohibiting hate crimes,” the statement said.
NBC News: Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh file a 29 count criminal complaint against synagogue shooter Robert Bowers. Here's the summary:
(h/t @WPXIRickEarle ) pic.twitter.com/2pDdjY0EjD
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 28, 2018
Authorities said 11 people were killed and six people, including four police officers, were wounded during Saturday’s shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
The charging documents were not immediately available in a federal court records database. Prosecutors have scheduled a Sunday morning news conference to discuss the case.
Bowers, who was captured alive after a shootout with police, had posted several messages online with virulent anti-Semitic content.
He was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds but was said to be in “fine” condition.
Earlier, Attorney General Jeff Session said the shooter would faces charges that could include the death penalty.
“These alleged crimes are reprehensible and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation. Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty,” he said.
US President Donald Trump told a rally that “When you have crimes like this… we have to bring back the death penalty.”
