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2018.10.27 22:50 GMT+8

Pittsburgh shooting: 11 killed at Squirrel Hill synagogue

CGTN

Eleven people have been killed and six others injured following a gun attack on a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, officials said.

The suspect, officially identified as Robert Bowers, opened fire during a baby naming ceremony at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday morning.

He's been charged by federal prosecutors with 29 counts including using a firearm to commit murder.

No children were among the fatalities. Four police officers were among the wounded. 

The 46-year-old assailant, from Pittsburgh, was in fair condition Saturday evening with multiple gunshot wounds. Due to his injuries, he's been hospitalized.

Entrance to the Emergency Trauma Center at Allegheny General Hospital, where authorities say Saturday's Tree of Life synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers is hospitalized, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, October 27, 2018. /Reuters Photoā€¨

Federal investigators said they are treating the shooting as a hate crime.

Bowers' social media posts are reportedly rife with anti-Semitic contents.

He reportedly shouted "All Jews must die" as he stormed the synagogue with an assault rifle and at least three handguns.

Investigators believed the gunman was acting alone but his full motive was not immediately clear, said Bob Jones, the special agent in charge of the FBI's office in Pittsburgh at a press conference. 

In the wake of the fatal shooting, US President Donald Trump denounced the "evil Anti-Semitic attack," saying it's "an assault on humanity." He said he will travel to Pittsburgh.

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