Synagogue Shooting Suspect Targeted Local Jewish Group Online

SILVER SPRING, MD — Shortly before 11 people were killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, shooting suspect Robert Bowers targeted a Silver Spring non-profit on the conservative social network Gab. HIAS, or the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, had been a target of Bowers' hate at least once.

HIAS is one of the oldest refugee protection agencies in the US. Founded in 1881 to assist Jews fleeing Russia and Eastern Europe, the non-profit continues to assist refugees all over the world, according to its website. The agency has headquarters in Silver Spring and an office in New York City.

"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 wrote on the alternative platform on Saturday.

A few weeks before the shooting, Bowers published another post on Gab. The alleged gunman provided a link to a HIAS project, dubbed National Refugee Shabbat, and wrote, "Why hello there HIAS! You like to bring in hostile invaders to dwell among us? We appreciate the list of friends you have provided."

In another anti-Semitic post, Bowers said: "Open you Eyes! It's the filthy evil jews Bringing the Filthy evil Muslims into the Country!!"

After the synagogue shooting, Gab.com was suspended. On Monday morning, the alternative social network released a statement on Twitter saying it "took the site down early on purpose last night because we knew the media would take the bait and have stories on it for this morning."

Bowers faces 29 federal charges, including 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder, 11 counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, 4 counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer and 3 counts of use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Bowers was also charged with 11 state offenses.

PHOTO: PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 29: Mourners pass a memorial for victims of the mass shooting that killed 11 people and wounded 6 at the Tree Of Life Synagogue on October 29, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleven people were killed and six more wounded in the mass shooting that police say was fueled by antisemitism. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

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