*WASHINGTON – A gunman faces 29 charges of violent crimes after openingfire during a baby-naming ceremony at a Pittsburg synagogue on Saturday,killing 11 people and injuring six in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack inrecent US history.*
The shooter — identified as a 46-year-old Robert Bowers — reportedly yelled“All Jews must die” as he burst into the Tree of Life synagogue, wherecongregants gathered for Sabbath services.
Taken into custody after a shootout with police, the suspect wastransferred to a hospital.
US prosecutors subsequently charged him with 29 counts of federal crimes,including 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder and 11 counts ofobstructing the exercise of religion resulting in death.
“The crimes of violence are based upon the federal civil rights lawsprohibiting hate crimes,” a statement said. Authorities have said Bowers’charges could carry the death penalty.
President Donald Trump denounced “a wicked act of mass murder,” while hisdaughter Ivanka, a convert to Judaism, declared: “America is stronger thanthe acts of a depraved bigot and anti-Semite.”
“This evil anti-Semitic attack is an assault on all of us,” Trump toldsupporters at an election rally in Illinois where he drew loud cheers as hevowed to fully enforce the death penalty for such crimes.
“We must stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to defeat anti-Semitismand vanquish the forces of hate.”
Trump said he would soon travel to Pittsburg in Pennsylvania, wherehundreds held a candlelit vigil late Saturday.
The president ordered all flags at the White House and at public grounds,military posts and naval stations to be flown at half-staff through October31 as a mark of “solemn respect” for the victims. – APP/AFP