Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter Now Facing Federal Charges

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Police say a gunman opened fire at a Pittsburgh Synagogue on Saturday morning, yelling "All Jews must die."

KDKA-TV sources say the shooting suspect is Robert Bowers.

Bowers is described as a white male, heavy set, with a beard. He is believed to have lived in an apartment building in the 5300 block of McAnulty Road in Baldwin Borough. He grew up in Whitehall. Police blocked off the area where the suspected gunman is living.

U.S. Attorney Scott Brady filed federal hate crimes charges against Bowers on Saturday evening. Those charges include:

Eleven counts each of Obstruction of Exercise of Religious Beliefs Resulting in Death and Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder During and in Relation to 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 and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a statement, saying the Department of Justice will file hate crime charges against Bowers for the shooting. Those charges could "lead to the death penalty."