Suspect in custody in Pittsburgh synagogue attack
Oct 27, 2018, 10:26 AM | Updated: 10:27 am
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Police said a suspect was in custody after a shooting caused “multiple casualties” at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday.
Three officers were also shot in the attack at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
It was not immediately known how many people had been shot, whether there were any fatalities or what the shooter’s motive was.
Police spokesman Chris Togneri said police have no more information at this time because they were still trying to clear the building and determine if any more threats exist.
The synagogue is located at the intersection of Wilkins and Shady avenues. The tree-lined residential neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, about 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, is the hub of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said all residents of the neighborhood are required to stay inside their homes until further notice.
Jeff Finkelstein of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh told WPXI that organization’s security officer has notified all JCC synagogues and that they are on modified lockdown.
President Donald Trump said he was monitoring the shooting. In a tweet, Trump encouraged people to shelter in place and said “looks like multiple fatalities.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called the shooting an “absolute tragedy.”
“We must all pray and hope for no more loss of life,” Wolf said. “But we have been saying “this one is too many” for far too long. Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm’s way.”
