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Additional Charges Filed Against Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect

As of Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced the suspect now faces 63 charges.

Additional Charges Filed Against Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect

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By Ahmed Jawadi

January 29, 2019

The suspected gunman behind the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting last year has been charged with more federal hate crimes and firearms offenses.

A federal grand jury slapped an additional 19 charges against Pennsylvania resident Robert Bowers, bringing the total count to 63, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Bowers was indicted last year on 44 charges, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The new charges include obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, and committing hate crimes resulting in death. If convicted, Bowers could get the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

According to the indictment, Bowers walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27 with multiple guns and started shooting. He allegedly said he wanted to "kill Jews." Eleven people were killed and six others were wounded.

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