The synagogue, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, did not have armed security guards. On October 27, 2018, Robert Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered together for Sabbath. Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?,” New York Times, October 27, 2018. I'm going in.” Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018. I can't sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Bowers was vehemently anti-immigrant in his beliefs and a week before the attack, posted a message stating, “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. Bowers allegedly posted one message stating, “Open you Eyes! It’s the filthy EVIL jews Bringing the Filthy EVIL Muslims into the Country!!” Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018. Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018. In October 2018, Bowers often reposted content on the Christian Identity movement which claims people of European descent are the “chosen people,” that Jews are the enemy, and people of other ethnic and racial backgrounds are meant to be exterminated or enslaved. Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018. Under the username onedingo, Bowers shared streams of anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories. Sometime in January 2018, Bowers opened an account on Gab, a social network that is popular among alt-right activists and white nationalists. citizens upon the creation of a global government. Around 2000, Bowers volunteered as the show’s archivist, stockpiling episodes on the website The show regularly espoused right-wing conspiracy theories including the belief that United Nations’ forces were poised to disarm U.S. Īccording to reports, Bowers was a staunch conservative who regularly listened to Jim Quinn’s The Warroom. Hagerty, “Pittsburgh Shooting Suspect Described as Man Who Kept to Himself,” Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2018. Based on public records, Bowers had no known employment. Murphy, “Here's what we know so far about Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect,” CNN, October 28, 2018. Bowers made at least six firearm purchases since 1996 and had an active gun license. Until the attack, Bowers was unknown to law enforcement. “Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree Of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. The maximum penalty he could receive if convicted is death, or life without parole plus 535 additional years of imprisonment. Bowers was indicted by a federal court on charges including hate crimes, as well as the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs and discharging a firearm. The shooting rampage killed 11 and wounded six others. Robert Bowers is an American white nationalist who, on October 27, 2018, carried out the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting-the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in the United States.