Federal grand jury indicts synagogue shooting suspect on 44 counts

A federal grand jury has indicted the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect on 44 counts, including hate crimes and 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder.

Prosecutors allege that Robert Bowers entered the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Oct. 28 with multiple firearms and opened fire on three congregations, as well injuring several public safety officers, according to the Justice Department.

The DOJ confirmed that Bowers made statements like “kill Jews” while allegedly carrying out the shooting.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at the announcement of the indictment Wednesday, blasting the religiously-driven nature of the attack.{mosads}

“Hatred and violence on the basis of religion can have no place in our society,” he said.

“Every American has the right to attend their house of worship in safety. The defendant in this case allegedly murdered 11 innocent people during religious services and injured four law enforcement officers. These alleged crimes are incomprehensibly evil and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation.”

Among the charges are 22 related to the “obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs.”

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott Brady said that with the announcement begins “the process of seeking justice for the victims of these hateful acts, and healing for the victims’ families, the Jewish community, and our city.”

“Our office will spare no resource, and will work with professionalism, integrity and diligence, in a way that honors the memories of the victims,” he said.

According to the statement, Bowers “faces a maximum possible penalty of death, or life without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 535 years’ imprisonment.”

A date for Bowers’s trial has yet to be set.

Several Republican leaders, including President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have called for the death penalty if Bowers is found guilty.