Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – At least 11 people were killed in a shooting on Saturday at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and several more were injured, according to local reports. The death toll is expected to rise as police say the scene is still active.
The gunman is said to be barricaded inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the city, according to KDKA news, and was firing at responding police officers.
Two officers are among the injured, police said, adding that there were “multiple casualties.”
The synagogue is located at the corner of Wilkins and Shady Avenues in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, about 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The neighborhood is heavily Jewish.
On Saturdays, the Jewish day of the Sabbath, synagogues hold religious services for congregants and visitors. It is unclear if the service was in session at the time of the shooting.
“There is an active shooter in the area of WILKINS and Shady,” the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department wrote in a tweet Saturday as the shooting began. “Avoid the area. More info will be released when it is available.”
BNO News, a media organization based in the Netherlands, reported that witnesses called 911 after a gunman opened fire in the synagogue.
CBS Pittsburgh reported that police received several calls from people inside the synagogue.
