Citizens all over America, and even across the globe, were shook when Robert Bowers killed 11 innocent Jewish worshipers with an assault rifle in Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday, October 27. This attack has been titled the deadliest in Jewish-American history. The massacre took place on Saturday morning in the synagogue whilst the congregation was peacefully praying. Several services were being conducted during this time, one of which was a bris, the Jewish celebration of a male child’s birth.

All serenity was disrupted when Robert Bowers stormed in with an AR-15 assault rifle and at least three hand guns. The perpetrator, Bowers, screamed anti-Semitic slurs as he shot and killed 11 people. In addition to the murders, Bowers also wounded six other people, including four police officers. He reportedly stated, “Jews are the children of Satan,” and, “I just want to kill Jews.”

Among the 11 victims, the youngest being 54 and the oldest 97, were brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal. Both were long time members of the synagogue. Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz was also killed in the shooting. He was a highly esteemed physician who was known for his kindness and sensitivity, specifically for his treatment of patients with HIV.

97 year old Rose Mallinger was the eldest of the victims. Contrary to popular press, she was falsely reported to have been a Holocaust survivor; however, she did live through The Palmer Raids, a period of heightened antisemitism and fear of Europeans in the 1930s. Her family, who immigrated from Lithuania, was in danger of deportation.

Mourners gathered together on Tuesday, October 30, to bury the victims and celebrate their lives. The funerals took place at the Rodef Shalom temple and a nearby theater. Both venues struggled to accommodate the tremendous turnout of mourners who came from near and far. In addition to the funerals, hundreds of temples across the country are uniting in wake of the shooting to pray for those who lost their lives.

Bowers was taken into police custody after exchanging gunfire with local police who rushed to the scene after the shooting began. Following the gunfire with the officers, Bowers retreated inside and took refuge in a room on the third floor, where he was found and contained by police.

Bowers was brought to Allegheny General Hospital where he was treated for his gun wounds. The first three doctors to take care of him were Jewish. Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, president of Allegheny General Hospital and congregant of The Tree of Life Synagogue was one of the doctors who cared for Bowers. Dr. Cohen said that as Bowers came into the hospital, he shouted things like, “I want to kill all of the Jews.” Nevertheless, Dr. Cohen and his team of Jewish doctors treated Bowers. “We are here to take care of sick people. We’re not here to judge you. We’re here to take care of people who need our help,” Cohen said.

Bowers made brief court appearances on Monday and Thursday, resulting in his charge of at least 44 federal crimes. Many are pushing for him to receive the death penalty; as of now, it is unknown what will become of his fate.