PITTSBURGH — Another mass shooting has brought grief to the nation, this time it happened in Pennsylvania. 11 people were killed after a gunman entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and opened fire. Various Pennsylvania lawmakers released statements.
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-US Sen. PA) says the shooting was “an evil act of hate” and those in public office have an obligation to take actions to reduce the likelihood of mass shootings.
U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta (R-11th, Hazelton) says targeting the Jewish community in any way disregards every American value. Barletta says he thanks law enforcement for their response. He says he will continue monitoring the situation to ensure officers have the resources they need to keep communities safe.
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-US Sen.PA) says what happened at the synagogue was a cowardly act of violence fueled by hate and anti-Semitism. He says he and his staff will remain in contact with law enforcement.
Governor Tom Wolf says he “cannot express the sadness all Pennsylvanians feel for what happened. He says Anti-semitism has absolutely no place in the commonwealth. He says we all must come together in wake of this tragedy.
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wagner also released a statement, saying this type of violence is sickening and has no place in society. He says he will continue monitoring the stiatuion and provide whatever assistance is necessary.
See all lawmakers full statements below.
Governor Tom Wolf:
“Today words simply… I can’t express the sadness that all Pennsylvanians feel for what happened today.
“I want to give my condolences first of all to the victims of this tragedy, the families, and their friends, and to this community.
“This shooting is being investigated by the FBI as a hate crime.
“My heart breaks for members of the Jewish community. Today all of Pennsylvania mourns with you.
“Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in our commonwealth. Any attack on one community of faith in Pennsylvania is an attack against every community of faith in Pennsylvania. And I want the Jewish community across the commonwealth and across the country to know that we stand in support of you as we together mourn this senseless act of violence.
“The Shabbat is a time for reflection, it’s a time for finding peace, not for violence.
“Pennsylvania’s Jewish community is strong, is vibrant, and resilient. Now is the time more than ever to come together and to support each other.
“I have spent today with first responders, with local leaders, and I am in awe of the bravery of displayed by law enforcement, those folks who help to keep people safe, to aid victims, and to prevent further tragedy.
“Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working in concert to investigate this tragedy and to maintain public safety. At the state level the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health are in contact with local officials to assist with any, any unmet needs.
“The Pennsylvania State Police have been on the scene already, and are coordinating with federal and local law enforcement.
“Pennsylvania State Police’s SWAT team, the helicopter, K-9 units, and bomb technicians have all responded and are all assisting.
“My thoughts right now are focused on the victims however, their families, their friends, and making sure that law enforcement has every resource that they need.
“In the aftermath of this tragedy we must all come together. We must take action to prevent these tragedies in the future. We simply cannot accept this violence as a normal part of American life.
“These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Pennsylvanians, they’re not who we are as Americans.”
U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta:
“Mary Grace and I are praying for the victims of the terrible shooting at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh this morning. To target the Jewish Community in any way disregards each and every value we hold dear as Americans, and to do so with such a cowardly and heinous attack is an act of pure evil. There is no place for anti-Semitism or any similar hatred in our society.
“I thank the brave law enforcement officers who risked their lives to bring the man responsible for such a monstrous crime into custody as well as the first responders and medical staff who are working tirelessly to save all those who were injured.
“As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I will continue to monitor the situation and ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. I am confident Pennsylvania’s judicial system will prosecute the man responsible for this tragedy to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Senator Bob Casey:
“Today, our Commonwealth and country stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. We mourn the loss of eleven lives at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill and pray for their families. This was an evil act of hate and the perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I received a briefing from the FBI and local law enforcement officials directly involved in this investigation. Our Commonwealth is grateful for the heroic actions of the Pittsburgh police officers who directly engaged the suspect and saved lives. We are also thankful for the work being done by federal, state and local law enforcement who also responded and are assisting in the investigation. People across our nation are praying for the officers who were injured today.
We stand with the victims and their families in this time of tragedy. Those of us in public office have an obligation to take actions that can reduce the likelihood of mass shootings. We must come together as a nation and meet this challenge.”
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey:
“Synagogues and other places of worship are safe havens where communities come together to celebrate, pray, and reflect. What happened today at the Tree of Life Synagogue was a cowardly act of violence fueled by hate and anti-Semitism.
“My prayers are with the victims, their families and friends, the members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, and the city of Pittsburgh. I greatly appreciate the actions of the first responders who tended to the wounded and apprehended the shooter.
“My staff and I will remain in contact with law enforcement and local officials over the course of coming days.”
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wagner:
“Tracy and I offer our condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were lost today in Squirrel Hill. This type of violence is sickening and has no place in our society. We salute the bravery and swift response of local law enforcement in containing the suspect and we will suspend campaign activity today so we can continue to monitor the situation and provide whatever assistance is necessary.”
