Pittsburgh shooting: Multiple casualties at Squirrel Hill synagogue

Eleven people have been killed, officials say, in a gun attack on a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The gunman, who opened fire as the Tree of Life synagogue held a service, was later taken into custody.

President Donald Trump said "a lot of people" had been killed and injured in a "wicked act of mass murder".

The suspect, who has been officially identified as Robert Bowers, 46, was injured and is receiving treatment.

Two other people are in hospital in a critical condition, police said.

Federal investigators are treating the shooting as a hate crime.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish non-governmental organisation that fights anti-Semitism, said: "We believe this is the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States."

A vigil for the victims of the synagogue attack is due to take place in Squirrel Hill shortly.

Sophia Levin, a local resident and one of the organisers, told the BBC she hoped this would help the community, and people "can come together and support each other".

President Trump said he would visit Pittsburgh, following the attack.

On Saturday morning, worshippers had gathered at the synagogue, in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood, for a baby naming ceremony during the Sabbath.

Squirrel Hill has one of the largest Jewish populations in Pennsylvania and this would have been the synagogue's busiest day of the week.

According to reports Mr Bowers, a white male, entered the building armed with an assault rifle and two pistols.

BBC

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