At least four dead in shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue

Initial reports suggest one white male suspect is in custody

PITTSBURGH: At least four people were killed and three officers injured responding to an active shooting incident in the area of a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, local media and CNN reported.

“There are fatalities,” an emergency responder said on local television station KDKA that was simulcast on CNN. The conditions of the officers were not immediately known.

One white male suspect was in custody, KDKA said, adding that responding officers “received fire.”

Police in Pittsburgh surrounded the Tree of Life synagogue after reports of an active shooter at the building in the city’s eastern Squirrel Hill neighbourhood, local TV news images showed.



“Do not come out of your home right now, it is not safe,” Pittsburgh police Commander Jason Lando warned local residents, in an impromptu news conference at the scene.

It was not immediately clear if anyone had died in the shooting or how many people were injured.

The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department had said on Twitter that there was an active shooter in the area of Wilkins Avenue and Shady Ave, the location of the synagogue.

ALERT: There is an active shooter in the area of WILKINS and Shady. Avoid the area. More info will be released when it is available.

— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) October 27, 2018

Local TV news footage showed police at that location with rifles and wearing helmets and other tactical gear. Paramedics also were stationed near the synagogue and police vehicles were blocking some streets in the area.

#BreakingNews Reports of an active shooter in a synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Huge police presence pic.twitter.com/vodOAuEBsu

— Lori Houy (@WPXI_Lori) October 27, 2018

The Tree of Life synagogue describes itself on its website as a traditional, progressive and egalitarian congregation. Few other details were immediately available.



'God Bless All'

US President Donald Trump reacting to the  developments in a shooting incident in Pittsburgh where it looked like there were "multiple fatalities." "Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!" he said in tweet.

Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2018