Police testify about confronting gunman at Pittsburgh synagogue

Police on Friday described how they exchanged fire with a gunman who carried out the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, frantic to get wounded worshippers to safety as they shot and neutralized the suspect.

Several officers took the stand on the fourth day of the prosecution's case against Robert Bowers, whose lawyers have acknowledged he shot and killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in October 2018 but are working to spare his life.

Bowers, who surrendered after being shot three times, was asked at the scene why he'd done it and responded that he “had enough. They were killing our children,” and “all Jews need to die,” Officer Clint Thimons, a member of the SWAT team, told jurors at the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh.

Survivors have previously testified about the terror they felt that day as Bowers barged into the synagogue and shot everyone he could find.

more...