The suspect, who was in custody by noon, opened fire inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighbourhood, according to The Associated Press.
The man accused of gunning down 11 congregants in a synagogue appeared in court Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty to the dozens of charges he faces.
Robert Bowers, 46, has been charged with walking into Tree of Life synagogue here on Saturday morning and opening fire while repeatedly expressinghis desire to "kill Jews." Authorities said Bowers killed 11 people inside the synagogue, critically injured two other congregants and wounded four of the law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with him.
During the brief court appearance, Bowers, wearing a red jumpsuit, pleaded not guilty to the counts, some of which could ultimately result in the death penalty if he is convicted.
Anat Halevy Hochberg visits a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue. Photo / AP
Bowers appeared with Michael Novara, his public defender, before Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell. Unlike a Monday court appearance before Mitchell, when Bowers was seated in a wheelchair, he walked into this hearing, his hands shackled and a chain hanging off his waist. Bowers was hospitalised for two days after the shooting after being shot multiple times, but he has since been released and is in federal custody.
During the hearing, Bowers sat slouched over the table, wearing a fixed, somber expression while prosecutors listed the charges against him and reminded him that he could receive a death sentence if convicted. He also requested a jury trial. Novara had no comment Thursday.
Robert Bowers has been charged with walking into Tree of Life synagogue and opening fire while repeatedly expressing his desire to "kill Jews." Photo / AP
Among the charges Bowers faces are 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death. The Justice Department has said federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh have begun the process of seeking a possible death sentence in the case; such decisions are made by the attorney general after a review by federal lawyers who specialise in capital cases.
"These alleged crimes are incomprehensibly evil and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement Wednesday. "Therefore this case is not only important to the victims and their loved ones, but to the city of Pittsburgh and the entire nation."
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, places a stone from the White House at a memorial for those killed. Photo / AP
The attack on the synagogue was the deadliest on Jews in American history, killing congregants who ranged in age from 54 to 97. The victims included two brothers who had attended the services each week since their childhood, a doctor who led its Torah studies and a man who sat in the back and handed prayer books to people who arrived late.
Mourners have spent this week attending the first funerals for the massacre's victims and remembering those lost. Although no decision has been made on a possible death sentence, one factor federal prosecutors can cite in seeking such a penalty is whether victims are particularly old or young; six of the 11 victims at the synagogue were at least 70 or older.
Memorials lay outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in remembrance of those killed in the attack. Photo / AP
Local prosecutors also have filed charges against Bowers, but Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said this week that he will put that prosecution on hold while the federal case proceeds. Zappala has signalled that he likely will pursue a death sentence for Bowers.
Investigators are scouring Bowers' life to look for what could explain his turn toward extremist violence. Although his online presence was rife with vitriolic hatred of Jewish people and other bigotry, in real life he was a forgettable presence who gave no indications of the carnage officials say he unleashed.
Bowers' mother, Barbara Bolt, is distraught about the shooting, said the Rev. Mark Schollaert, pastor of First Baptist Monongahela Church, where Bolt is a parishioner. Schollaert said Bolt had asked him to speak on her behalf.
"She doesn't condone at all what her son has done," Schollaert said. "She's praying for the families of the victims and their friends."
