Prosecutors seeking death penalty against synagogue shooting suspect

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are planning to seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Associated Press reports that U.S. Attorney Scott Brady has started the process to gain approval from Attorney General Jeff Sessions to pursue a capital case against Robert Bowers. State prosecutors are required to get federal permission to pursue the death penalty.

Brady said authorities have received multiple search warrants in their investigation into Bowers, who is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, according to the AP.

{mosads}Bowers, 46, is accused of entering the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood and opening fire during morning services, killing 11 and wounding six.

The victims ranged in age from 54 to 97, and included two brothers and a married couple, authorities said Sunday.

Bowers carried a rifle and three handguns and shouted anti-Semitic slurs as he entered the house of worship, police said. Authorities said he told police as he was being treated for injuries upon his arrest that he wanted all Jews to die.

It is believed to be the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in American history, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

President Trump and other lawmakers have condemned the attack, with the president decrying it as “an assault on humanity.”