<p>&nbsp;A gunman man yelling, “All Jews must die,” stormed a Pittsburgh synagogue during Saturday services and shot worshipers, killing at least eight and wounding six including four police officers before he was arrested, local authorities and media said.</p>

<p>"It's a very horrific crime scene, one of the worst that I've seen, and I've been on some plane crashes," Pittsburgh public safety director Wendell Hissrich told a news conference near the scene.</p>

<p>"This falls under hate crime," he said, adding there was no active threat to the community and that the shooter had been taken to a hospital. The Federal Bureau of Investigation will lead the probe into the attack.</p>

<p>A "bearded heavy-set white male" was in custody, KDKA television said, citing police sources saying the gunman walked into the building and yelled “All Jews must die.”</p>

<p>A federal law enforcement official told&nbsp;that at least 8 people were killed.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;shooting&nbsp;triggered security alerts at houses of worship around the country, and follows a spate of pipe bombs found mailed in recent days to prominent political figures, mostly Democrats including former President Barack Obama.</p>

<p>The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it was treating multiple patients at UPMC Presbyterian.</p>

<p>CNN and MSNBC identified the suspect as a 46-year-old Pittsburgh man, Robert Bowers. Reuters could not immediately confirm the suspect's identity.</p>

<p>A social media post by someone with that name on Saturday said the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society "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.”</p>

<p>MSNBC said the attacker was armed with AR-15 rifle and two handguns.</p>

<p>Police surrounded the Tree of Life synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a heavily Jewish area.</p>

<p>The synagogue was holding a Shabbat religious service at the time. Police are normally only present at the synagogue for security on high holidays, Michael Eisenberg, former president of the synagogue, told KDKA.</p>

<p>"On a day like today, the door is open, it’s a religious service, you can walk in and out," he said.</p>

<p>Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defemation League, called the&nbsp;shooting&nbsp;an "anti-Semitic attack." Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was heartbroken by the Pittsburghshooting, describing the attack as "horrendous anti-Semitic brutality."</p>

<p>Around the time of the&nbsp;shooting, three congregations would be using the building, Eisenberg said. The Tree of Life congregation would have about 40 people present, another group meeting for Sabbath services in the basement would have 30 to 40 people and a third Jewish congregation meeting for a study session would have about 15 people. A common atrium area would be busy with people milling around, he added.</p>

<p>Most of the congregants were older people, according to a former rabbi interviewed by local media.</p>

<p>Shortly after reports of the&nbsp;shooting&nbsp;emerged, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said in a tweet he was watching what he described as a "devastating" situation.</p>

<p>Trump told reporters later in the morning the killings might have been prevented if there had been an armed guard in the building.</p>

<p>“If they had some kind of a protection inside the temple maybe it could have been a much more different situation, they didn’t," he said when asked about a possible link to US&nbsp;gun laws.</p>


A gunman man yelling, “All Jews must die,” stormed a Pittsburgh synagogue during Saturday services and shot worshipers, killing at least eight and wounding six including four police officers before he was arrested, local authorities and media said.

A gunman man yelling, “All Jews must die,” stormed a Pittsburgh synagogue during Saturday services and shot worshipers, killing at least eight and wounding six including four police officers before he was arrested, local authorities and media said. "It's a very horrific crime scene, one of the worst that I've seen, and I've been on some plane crashes," Pittsburgh public safety director Wendell Hissrich told a news conference near the scene. "This falls under hate crime," he said, adding there was no active threat to the community and that the shooter had been taken to a hospital. The Federal Bureau of Investigation will lead the probe into the attack. A "bearded heavy-set white male" was in custody, KDKA television said, citing police sources saying the gunman walked into the building and yelled “All Jews must die.” A federal law enforcement official told that at least 8 people were killed. The shooting triggered security alerts at houses of worship around the country, and follows a spate of pipe bombs found mailed in recent days to prominent political figures, mostly Democrats including former President Barack Obama. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it was treating multiple patients at UPMC Presbyterian. CNN and MSNBC identified the suspect as a 46-year-old Pittsburgh man, Robert Bowers. Reuters could not immediately confirm the suspect's identity. A social media post by someone with that name on Saturday said the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society "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.” MSNBC said the attacker was armed with AR-15 rifle and two handguns. Police surrounded the Tree of Life synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a heavily Jewish area. The synagogue was holding a Shabbat religious service at the time. Police are normally only present at the synagogue for security on high holidays, Michael Eisenberg, former president of the synagogue, told KDKA. "On a day like today, the door is open, it’s a religious service, you can walk in and out," he said. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defemation League, called the shooting an "anti-Semitic attack." Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was heartbroken by the Pittsburghshooting, describing the attack as "horrendous anti-Semitic brutality." Around the time of the shooting, three congregations would be using the building, Eisenberg said. The Tree of Life congregation would have about 40 people present, another group meeting for Sabbath services in the basement would have 30 to 40 people and a third Jewish congregation meeting for a study session would have about 15 people. A common atrium area would be busy with people milling around, he added. Most of the congregants were older people, according to a former rabbi interviewed by local media. Shortly after reports of the shooting emerged, US President Donald Trump said in a tweet he was watching what he described as a "devastating" situation. Trump told reporters later in the morning the killings might have been prevented if there had been an armed guard in the building. “If they had some kind of a protection inside the temple maybe it could have been a much more different situation, they didn’t," he said when asked about a possible link to US gun laws.

Gunman targets Pittsburgh synagogue in 'hate crime;' 8 reported dead

<p>At least four people died on Saturday after police in the US city of Pittsburgh were called to an "active shooter," reportedly near a Jewish synagogue, US media reported.</p>

<p>CBS reported that seven people were confirmed dead and that two police officers had been shot, while Fox put the death toll at four.</p>

<p>"There is an active shooter in the area of Wilkins and Shady," Pittsburgh's Public Safety department, which includes the police, said on Twitter.</p>

<p>The Tree of Life congregation is located in the area cited by police.</p>

<p>Television pictures showed a police SWAT team and ambulances in the area.</p>

<p>According to police, a suspect is under custody in connection with the shooting incident.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a> Reports of an active shooter in a synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Huge police presence <a href="https://t.co/vodOAuEBsu">pic.twitter.com/vodOAuEBsu</a></p>
— Lori Houy (@WPXI_Lori) <a href="https://twitter.com/WPXI_Lori/status/1056192266811961344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pittsburgh police were also dispatched to reports of active gunfire at the synagogue, according to Cmdr. Jason Lando. He said there were "multiple casualties," a CNN report said.</p>

<p>"It is imperative that the neighbours in the community surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue stay in their houses and shelter in place," Lando said. "Do not come out of your home right now. It is not safe."</p>

<p>It is the latest shooting incident in the United States, where gunmen regularly cause mass casualties and firearms are linked to more than 30,000 deaths annually.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump said he was watching developments in a shooting incident on Saturday morning in Pittsburgh where it looked like there were "multiple fatalities."</p>

<p>"Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!" he said in tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1056200966809288704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pennsylvania Governor&nbsp;Tom Wolf reacting to the incident said&nbsp;that "this is an absolute tragedy"&nbsp;and right not his thoughts are focused on the victims.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is an absolute tragedy. These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need.</p>
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorTomWolf/status/1056214496090447873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With inputs from AFP)</p>


At least four people died on Saturday after police in the US city of Pittsburgh were called to an "active shooter," reportedly near a Jewish synagogue, US media reported.

At least four people died on Saturday after police in the US city of Pittsburgh were called to an "active shooter," reportedly near a Jewish synagogue, US media reported. CBS reported that seven people were confirmed dead and that two police officers had been shot, while Fox put the death toll at four. "There is an active shooter in the area of Wilkins and Shady," Pittsburgh's Public Safety department, which includes the police, said on Twitter. The Tree of Life congregation is located in the area cited by police. Television pictures showed a police SWAT team and ambulances in the area. According to police, a suspect is under custody in connection with the shooting incident. #BreakingNews Reports of an active shooter in a synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Huge police presence pic.twitter.com/vodOAuEBsu — Lori Houy (@WPXI_Lori) October 27, 2018 × Pittsburgh police were also dispatched to reports of active gunfire at the synagogue, according to Cmdr. Jason Lando. He said there were "multiple casualties," a CNN report said. "It is imperative that the neighbours in the community surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue stay in their houses and shelter in place," Lando said. "Do not come out of your home right now. It is not safe." It is the latest shooting incident in the United States, where gunmen regularly cause mass casualties and firearms are linked to more than 30,000 deaths annually. US President Donald Trump said he was watching developments in a shooting incident on Saturday morning in Pittsburgh where it looked like there were "multiple fatalities." "Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!" he said in tweet. Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2018 × Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf reacting to the incident said that "this is an absolute tragedy" and right not his thoughts are focused on the victims. This is an absolute tragedy. These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need. — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) October 27, 2018 × (With inputs from AFP)

Multiple fatalities in US shooting near Pittsburgh synagogue: Report

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Gunman targets Pittsburgh synagogue in 'hate crime;' 8 reported dead

Multiple fatalities in US shooting near Pittsburgh synagogue: Report