Jury Reaches Verdict In Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

PITTSBURGH, PA — A jury on Friday found Robert Bowers guilty of killing 11 congregants at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 in the worst antisemitic attack in United States history, according to multiple reports.

Closing arguments in the case began Thursday after 11 days of testimony. Jurors spent about two hours Thursday weighing dozens of criminal counts against the 50-year-old truck driver before returning Friday to resume deliberations.

According to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report, the jury found Bowers guilty on all 63 charges, including 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of a hate crime act resulting in death. Bowers was charged for each victim.

The verdict was read shortly before noon.

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who survived the attack, thanked God and law enforcement in a statement following the verdict.

"Today I'm focused on being with my congregation and praying, singing and clapping in praise of God as we do each Shabbat," Myers said. "In the face of the horror of our community has experienced, I can think of no better response than practicing my Jewish faith and leading worship."

A conviction was all but assured after Bower's lawyers acknowledged he burst into Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other guns. In addition to the dead, seven people were wounded, including five police officers.

In closing arguments Thursday, a prosecutor told the jury that Bowers targeted his victims because of their religion, noting his extensive online trail of antisemitic and white supremacist content. Bowers also told police at the scene that “all these Jews need to die,” prosecutor Mary Hahn said.

Bowers initially pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jurors will now have to decide on a penalty for Bowers: life in prison or death. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, while Bowers’ attorneys have focused their efforts on trying to save his life.

Meanwhile, Carole Zawatsky, the CEO of Tree of Life, offered words of support for survivors and their families.

“While the verdict will not bring back your loved ones who were so violently killed, my hope is that today provides some level of comfort and helps to ease the pain, even if ever so slightly," Zawatsky said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.