The 46-year-old man accused of entering a Pittsburgh-area synagogue Saturday and gunning down 11 people celebrating the Shabbat appeared in federal court just hours after he was released from a local hospital. Robert Gregory Bowers, who is accused of killing eight men and three women inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, entered the courtroom in a wheelchair. During the brief hearing, he waived the reading of the criminal complaint against him and accepted a public defender. Judge Brian Mitchell set the preliminary hearing for Thursday morning. Bowers was charged with 29 federal counts that include obstructing the free exercise of religious belief resulting in death – a federal hate crime – and using a firearm to commit murder. Federal prosecutors confirmed they intend to pursue the death penalty. He also faces 11 state counts of criminal homicide, six counts of aggravated assault and 12 counts of ethnic intimidation. THE VICTIMS OF THE SYNAGOGUE MASSACRE Authorities are working to piece together Bowers’ background and movements before he allegedly entered the synagogue about 10 miles from downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday morning. According to the criminal complaint, Bowers targeted three separate congregations, all of which were conducting Shabbat services in the Squirrel Hill area synagogue, about 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and the hub of the city’s Jewish community. Bowers shot his victims with an AR-15 and three Glock handguns, all of which he owned legally and had a license to carry, the Associated Press reported. He was stopped after exchanging gunfire with police. Authorities said Bowers expressed hatred of Jews during the deadly rampage and later told a police officer that “they’re committing genocide to my people. I just want to kill Jews.” Speaking at a vigil in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said about a dozen people had gathered in the synagogue's main sanctuary when Bowers walked in and began shooting. He said seven of his congregants were killed. "My holy place has been defiled," he said. On ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday, Myers said he was able to alert authorities to the shooting because had recently attended a security training and had his cellphone on him. He said he hadn’t always carried a cellphone on the Sabbath, but a security expert told him in August they were living in a new era and he needed to carry it. Myers said he spent 20 minutes on the phone with police and it “felt like an eternity.” OPINION: I PRAYED AT THE TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE Officials released the names of all 11 of the dead, all of them middle-aged or elderly. The victims included intellectually disabled brothers and a husband and wife. The youngest was 54, and the oldest was 97 – later identified as a Holocaust survivor. "The loss is incalculable," said Stephen Cohen, co-president of New Light Congregation, which rents space at Tree of Life. Little was known about the suspect, who had no apparent criminal record but who is believed to have expressed virulently anti-Semitic views on social media. To share his anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic views, Bowers allegedly used Gab.com, a social media network billing itself as an alternative to Twitter that defends “liberty and free expression online.” On Monday, the social media site was taken down. Gab.com said it has been "systematically no-platformed by App Stores, multiple hosting providers, and several payment processors." In an audio statement on Twitter, co-founder and CEO Andrew Torba called Saturday's shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue that killed 11 an "act of terrorism." He said the site has a zero-tolerance policy for terrorism. PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE MASSACRE SUSPECT BOWERS DESCRIBED AS BLAND BY UNSUSPECTING NEIGHBORS Chris Hall, who lives next door to Bowers, described the suspected shooter as bland and “forgettable.” “I really wish there was some type of clue,” Hall told Fox News, adding his neighbor “felt more comfortable expressing his views online rather than in person. If I were to wave to him and he said, ‘All Jews must die’ or there was an SS sticker on his car, I would have f---ing reported him…but he didn’t do any of those things.” Hall said he hasn’t slept since the massacre and worries there might be others who subscribe to the same hateful ideas and “hide in plain sight.” “I didn’t think anyone could be capable of something like this,” he said. “I’m still grappling with it. What if I had been more neighborly? But I don’t know. [The gunman] could have just as easily started [shooting] here. It’s a diverse neighborhood. It could have been target practice.” Police said they believe Bowers was working alone. Fox News' Barnini Chakraborty and the Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Local, state and federal officials hold a news conference on the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting on October 27, 2018. PITTSBURGH -- The anti-Semitic truck driver accused of gunning down 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges that could put him on death row, as funerals for the victims of the worst atrocity perpetrated against Jews in American history continued for a third day.Robert Bowers, 46, was arraigned one day after a grand jury issued a 44-count indictment charging him with murder, hate crimes, obstructing the practice of religion and other crimes. It was his second brief appearance in a federal courtroom since the weekend massacre at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.Here's what we know about Bowers and the events of Saturday, Oct. 27.Bob Jones, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, said 46-year-old Bowers was armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle and three handguns and is believed to have acted alone. Law enforcement sources tell ABC that investigators recovered a total of 10 firearms from the scene and at Bowers' home, all of which were purchased legally.Two Pittsburgh police officers came into contact with Bowers as Bowers attempted to leave the synagogue, according to a criminal complaint. After a shootout that left the officers wounded -- one was shot in the hand and the other hit by shrapnel -- Bowers retreated into the synagogue.Rabbi Alvin Berkun, the synagogue's rabbi emeritus, told ABC News he had heard that the gunman at one point was in his office on the third floor of the synagogue. A shootout ensued with SWAT officers on the third floor, the criminal complaint said, leaving two additional officers wounded.Bowers was eventually taken into custody alive after spending approximately 20 minutes in the synagogue, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.Bowers was transported to a local hospital in fair condition with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators do not believe his gunshot wounds were self-inflicted.The shooting left at least 11 people dead. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the gunman "claimed innocent lives" at a baby-naming ceremony, though officials said no children are among the dead. At least six people were injured including four police officers. The officers' injuries are not life-threatening, but the others sustained more serious injuries. Hissrich described the crime scene as "horrific" and "one of the worst I've seen. "Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the shooting, though Jones did say the victims were "targeted simply because of their faith." The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.Bowers was not known to law enforcement prior to Saturday's incident. He told a SWAT officer that he "wanted all Jews to die and also that they (Jews) were committing genocide to his people," a criminal complaint alleges.The social media site Gab.com said Bowers had a profile on their website. A cached version of the account believed to belong to Bowers showed posts that are anti-Semitic and anti-refugee in nature and that are also critical of President Trump.Before the shooting, a new message was posted to the account: "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. "HIAS is a nonprofit group that helps refugees around the world find safety and freedom. The organization said it is guided by Jewish values and history.President and CEO Mark Hetfield told the Associated Press he wasn't aware of the shooter's "obsession with HIAS until this morning. "Gab denounced the shooting in a statement , adding that it suspended the alleged gunman's account, backed up the content and notified the FBI. Gab, which is popular with far-right extremists, says its mission is to defend free expression and individual liberty online for all people.ABC News has not been able to independently verify the social media accounts attributed to Bowers. A counterterrorism official briefed on the probe confirmed to ABC News that officials are looking at the Gab account and other social media platforms believed to be linked to Bowers.<doc-sep>Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Eleven people have been killed and a number of others injured after a shooting at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill on Saturday. Police sources tell KDKA’s Andy Sheehan the gunman, Robert Bowers, walked into the building and yelled, “All Jews must die.” Sheehan’s sources also confirmed that eleven people have died. No children are among the deceased. Bowers was reportedly armed with an AR-15 and three handguns. The initial call to 911 was made around 9:54 a.m. and officers were dispatched to the scene within a minute. Two officers arrived on the scene and observed a male who was carrying an assault-style weapon, according to police. Bowers opened fire on the two officers and then retreated back into the building. One of the officers suffered a gunshot wound to the hand and the other officer received several cuts to his face from shrapnel and broken glass. RELATED LINKS: Pittsburgh SWAT officers arrived on scene, formed a small team and entered the building. Upon entering the building officers observed the devestation. SWAT medics carried two victims, one male and one female, outside of the building. The victims were transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. Officers began searching the third floor of the synagogue when they encountered Bowers again, who opened fire on the SWAT team. One officer was shot multiple times and critically wounded and another officer was also shot multiple times by Bowers. The remaining SWAT officers engaged Bowers while the two injured officers were carried outside to Pittsburgh Paramedics. Bowers was injured in the exchange of gunfire. After being taken into custody, the suspect made statements to an officer that he wanted all Jews to die and also that Jews were committing genocide on his people, according to authorities. It is believed that Bowers acted alone. “I will emphasize at this time that there appears to be no active threat to the community. We believe the subject that is responsible for this has been taken into custody,” Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said. Hissrich said at least six other people were injured, including several police officers. Two of the officers were among the first responders to the scene. At least one other was a member of the SWAT team. WATCH: Officials Hold Press Conference To Update Investigation: As of 5:30 p.m., three victims — a 61-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man, and a 27-year-old male officer — were in stable condition. Two victims — a 70-year-old man and a 40-year-old male SWAT officer — were in critical condition. One additional officer was treated and released. UPDATE AS OF 5:30 PM ON SATURDAY, OCT. 27, 2018: A 61-year-old female is in stable condition. A 70-year-old male is in critical condition. A 55-year-old male officer is in stable condition. More ⬇️. pic.twitter.com/KfHfqb2Dut — UPMC (@UPMCnews) October 27, 2018 Another person was taken to Allegheny General Hospital. According to multiple sources, that person is the suspect in the shooting. The suspect was reportedly shot multiple times and was last listed in fair condition. The shooting happened during weekly Shabbat services at the synagogue. The building was full of people for a Saturday service and police said they received several calls from people barricaded inside. A heavy police presence blocked off a section of McAnulty Road in Baldwin Borough. It is believed Bowers lived in an apartment in that area. Police were in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the residence. Police are also investigating if Bowers announced his intentions on social media Saturday morning. That account has since been taken down. One posting stated, “HIAS [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] likes to bring invaders in that kill out people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” Hissrich said this shooting is being investigated as a hate crime and as such, the FBI is leading the investigation. “At this time this is being considered a federal violation and the primary investigative agency will be the Federal Bureau of investigation,” Hissrich said. “As the mayor mentioned, we’ve had a tragedy here today. The work of the first responders is what probably prevented it from becoming much more of a tragedy for what it is,” Hissrich said. District attorney spokesman Mike Manko issued the following statement: “Senior prosecutors and detectives from our office have been monitoring this atrocity since the first reports. A deputy district attorney is on site and is coordinating the prosecution of this individual under state laws involving murder and federal laws involving domestic terrorism. District Attorney Zappala has been in touch with United States Attorney Scott Brady and as this progresses, they will work together to determine the appropriate forum in which to address these crimes. As we always do, we want to allow the families and survivors of this heinous and abhorrent act, and the Jewish Community of Pittsburgh, the time they need to grieve their loss. During this time, the investigation, led by the FBI, will continue and as we did following the murders committed by Richard Baumhammers, we will have a process evaluating the safety and potential vulnerabilities of synagogues, churches and schools. To that end, we have already reached out to leaders of the Jewish community as well as other leaders in the religious and educational community.” Federal charges were filed 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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that the charges filed could lead to the death penalty. A phone number has been established for any questions from family members of the victims. That number is (412)-432-4400. A victims’ assistance and reunification center has also been set up on the campus of Chatham University. Grief counselors and representatives from the Red Cross will be on hand. Thousands filled the streets of Squirrel Hill for a vigil Saturday evening. “That’s what makes Squirrel Hill such a great neighborhood. It’s probably one of the most diverse in not only the city, but across the state. This hits home to everyone. We saw people from different religions, ethnicities, they’re all gathering doing vigils,” Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor said. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to benefit the victims, their families and the synagogue. If you would like to donate, click here. Meanwhile, KDKA-TV spoke with several people familiar with what services would have been taking place on a normal Saturday morning. “At 9:45 there were three simultaneous congregations’ services that were being held,” he said. “In the main part of the building, The Tree of Life has a service that has about 40 people in it. Just below that there is a basement area where New Life congregation would have been having their Shabbat service. There would have been 30-40 people. Just adjacent to Tree of Light’s service area, a congregation was in the rabbi study room and they would have had approximately 15 people in there,” Michael Eisenberg, the past President of the Tree of Life, said. Chuck Diamond was a rabbi at Tree of Life for seven years. Diamond said possibly three rabbis would’ve been inside. Rabbi Pearlman from New Light was in the basement. Rabbi Cheryl Kline was in the social hall. Rabbi Meyers, the rabbi of Tree of Life, would have been in the chapel. “I was at home [when I found out]. I live right up the street around the corner and I started getting phone calls,” Diamond said. Meghan Schiller: Did you ever as rabbi think that you were gonna have to deal with this? Diamond: “I thought about it all the time, I have to tell you.<doc-sep>
Isabel Kinnane Smith of Allderdice is comforted by Lesley Britton, a math teacher at the school, at a vigil blocks from where an active shooter shot multiple people at Tree of Life Congregation synagogue on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. (Stephanie Strasburg/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) Law enforcement officers secure the scene where multiple people were shot, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) Judah Samet stands at the synogague's makeshift grave markings for the 11 killed now surrounded by police tape, mourners flowers. (CNN) — As officials try to put together a picture of the alleged Pittsburgh synagogue shooter, one focus of the investigation is his social media postings, the FBI said. Here’s what we know so far about suspect Robert Bowers, 46: He allegedly made anti-Semitic statements after his arrest While in custody and receiving medical treatment, Bowers told a SWAT officer he wanted all Jews to die and also that “they (Jews) were committing genocide to his people,” according to the police criminal complaint. The bloodshed took place on the same day as Saturday Shabbat services. At the time of the shooting, three different congregations were holding services at the Tree of Life. He was in the synagogue for about 20 minutes At a Saturday afternoon news conference, officials said the suspect was in the Squirrel Hill synagogue for about 20 minutes. After the attack and as he was leaving the building, Bowers encountered a law enforcement officer and the two exchanged gunfire, officials said. The suspect went back inside to hide from SWAT officers. Bowers was in fair condition with multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. It’s believed he was shot by police. Trump says synagogue should have had armed guards He was not known to law enforcement “At this point we have no knowledge that Bowers was known to law enforcement before today,” said Bob Jones, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge. Jones said that while Bowers’ alleged motive is unknown, officials believed he acted alone. He has an active license to carry firearms Bowers has an active license and has made at least six known firearm purchases since 1996, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said. On September 29, Bowers posted photos of his handgun collection on his Gab.com account, which included multiple clips and sights. A rifle and three handguns were found on the scene of the attack, the FBI said. He blamed Jews for helping migrant caravans On his Gab.com account, Bowers claimed Jews were helping transport members of the migrant caravans. He shared a video that another Gab.com user posted, purportedly of a Jewish refugee advocacy group HIAS on the US-Mexico border. Another post that Bowers commented on described HIAS’ overall efforts as “sugar-coated evil.” From Gab Seventeen days before the attack, Bowers posted a web page from HIAS that listed a number of Shabbats that were being held on behalf of refugees, an official said. On that list was a Shabbat address that is less than a mile away from the Tree of Life Synagogue. (The chief executive officer of HIAS, Mark Hetfield, said Bowers is not known to the group.) He called those in migrant caravans ‘invaders’ According to his posts, Bowers believed that those in the migrant caravans were violent because they were attempting to leave countries that had high levels of violence. And Bowers repeatedly called them “invaders” on his Gab posts. “I have noticed a change in people saying ‘illegals’ that now say ‘invaders’,” read one post, six days before the shooting. “I like this.” A law enforcement source confirmed to CNN that investigators believe the social media postings belong to Bowers and that the language on his account matches the suspected motivation behind the shootings. His most recent post was five minutes before police were alerted to the shooting In that Gab post, Bowers said he “can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” From GAB Bowers' photo on Gab.com His Gab account has frequent anti-Semitic postings He has reposted a number of posts on his social media accounts that tell Jews to get out or leave. Gab is a social media platform that advocates for free speech and puts nearly no restrictions on content.