Pittsburgh Shooting
Eleven people were killed at Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27th. The shooting took place in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Squirrel Heights, Pittsburgh. Shabbat morning services were being conducted when Robert Bowers, 46, began murdering the Jews for practicing their religion.
Bowers was armed with an assault rifle and three handguns during his shooting spree, according to the FBI, as he walked into the synagogue and began shooting shortly before 10 a.m. The FBI is now involved in the case because Bowers is being tried for a hate crime, which is a federal offense. Bob Jones, the director of the FBI’s Pittsburgh office, said the mass shooting was “the most horrific crime scene” he had seen in his two decades with the bureau.
Before entering services, Bowers posted to Gab, a fringe social media website utilized in large part by white nationalists and members of the far-right. The post read, “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I’m going in.” His profile also included a multitude of anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories.
Bowers said he didn’t support Trump. He believed Trump was too soft on those of the Jewish faith. Bowers believes because Trump’s family is Jewish, it prevents him from keeping true to his slogan “Make America Great.”
Gab, in a statement, said it was “saddened and disgusted” but defended its ability to protect free speech. Following the shooting, the social media website backed up the shooter’s profile and then suspended the account. The social media website’s users post anti-Semitic comments, conspiracy theories, and pro-Trump paraphernalia as the the site has looser rules than mainstream sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Following the shooting, Gab released a statement saying, “Gab’s mission is very simple: to defend free expression and individual liberty online for all people. Social media often brings out the best and the worst of humanity. Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform.” GoDaddy stopped hosting domain registrar services for Gab following the shooting; Epik is now the host provider.
Bowers’ hate crime is one of many in the rise in hate crimes nationwide. The most recent year for data on hate crimes is 2016 with an almost five percent rise from 2015 and a ten percent rise from 2014. Of the religious crimes reported in 2016, half of the religious hatred crimes were committed against Jews. According the the Anti-Defamation League, the number of anti-Semitic incidents have risen 57 percent from 2016 to 2017.
Following the shooting, Synagogues have put more security in place. Government offices increased security around Synagogues. Nashville police conducted extra patrols and checked in more frequently at Jewish buildings. DC officials added additional security to places of worship.
By Sophie Kieffer