On October 27, a gunman walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and opened fire on the congregants, killing 11 and wounding six more in what is described as one of the deadliest anti-semitic shootings in American history.

The assailant fired upon the congregants for several minutes and was leaving the synagogue as police arrived. Officers exchanged fire with the gunman for many minutes, wounding four of the officers before surrendering. The gunman was transferred directly to a nearby hospital, where he yelled anti-semitic slurs at the Jewish doctors and nurses who treated him.

Shortly after the suspect had been identified, the U.S. District Attorney for Western Pennsylvania Scott Brady charged him with a total of 44 charges, including hate crime charges. The maximum penalty for the gunman is the death sentence or life without parole plus 535 years. On November 1, the gunman pleaded not guilty to all of the charges brought against him and requested a jury trial.

The charges brought against the gunman are the following:

• Two counts of obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon, resulting in bodily injury;
• Eight counts of obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon, resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.
• Two counts of the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
• Nine counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
• One count of obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs involving use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.

The shooter has not waived his right to a speedy trial, which is unusual for suspects in mass-shooting cases.

The community mourned the death of the eldest victim, Rose Mallinger. Hundreds of Mourners lined up at the Rodef Shalom Temple in Pittsburgh to mourn the 97-year old victim, despite the chilly temperature, and gray skies. Mallinger served as a school secretary for Tree of Life, where she regularly attended services for 60 years.