Robert Bowers/Gab
Robert Bowers, the man arrested in connection to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, has a history of extreme antisemitism. Bowers was active on the social media platform Gab and was very active, even posting a message hours before his rampage which left multiple congregation members dead and three police officers wounded.
Before the shooting, Bowers posted a message which read:
“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.”
Bowers was also very critical of President Donald Trump, blasting the man in the Oval Office for being a “globalist” and claiming that he was too liberal. He also followed the dark conspiracy QAnon.
“Trump is a globalist, not a nationalist. There is no #MAGA as long as there is a kike infestation. #Qanon is here to get patriots that were against martial law in the 90’s to be the ones begging for it now to drain muh swamp. But go ahead and keep saying you are #Winning.”
Trump said that Bowers deserves the death penalty.
We will continue to gather more messages from Bowers’ social media as the surface online.
Robert Bowers’ Antisemitic Social Media Posts
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
Robert Bowers, Gab
What Happened?
Robert Bowers entered The Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill tunnel where he opened fired on a full congregation. After taking multiple lives and exchanging gunfire with police, the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody.
KDKA’s Andy Sheehan says police sources informed him the gunman walked into the building and yelled, “All Jews Must die.”
The incident began around 10:45 a.m. ET. The synagogue was preparing for a service at the time police received calls that members of the congregation were barricaded inside. Multiple casualties were immediately reported, with numbers ranging from 4 to 7.
Police exchanged gunfire with the suspected gunman, with three officers getting wounded.
Where Is The Tree Of Life Synagogue?
Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha is a traditional, progressive and egalitarian Jewish congregation located in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
The website states, “Tree of Life Congregation was founded more than 150 years ago, Or L’Simcha about 5 years ago. In 2010, the two Pittsburgh congregations merged to form Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. As a conservative Jewish congregation, Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha remains true to traditional teachings, yet is also progressive and relevant to the way we live today.”
The synagogue is located on the corner of Wilkins and Shady Avenue.