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Pittsburgh shooting: Casualties at Squirrel Hill synagogue Pittsburgh shooting: Casualties at Squirrel Hill synagogue
(35 minutes later)
There are multiple casualties at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a gunman opened fire during a service on Saturday.There are multiple casualties at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a gunman opened fire during a service on Saturday.
Three police officers are among those wounded. Police have not yet said how many people were killed. Four police officers are among those wounded. Police have not yet said how many people were killed.
The man, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire with police, has now surrendered and is in custody. His name has not yet been released. The suspect, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire with police, has now surrendered and is in custody. His name has not yet been released.
Officers have been searching the Tree of Life synagogue.Officers have been searching the Tree of Life synagogue.
Local residents are still being asked to stay at home. "It's a very horrific scene. One of the worst I've seen, and I've [worked] on some plane crashes. It's very bad," Pittsburgh's Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said.
He would not say how many people had died. He confirmed six people were injured, four of whom are police officers.
Mr Hissrich also confirmed the suspect had been taken to hospital, but did not comment on his identity or condition.
He said there would now be a federal investigation of a hate crime.
The synagogue serves the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in Pennsylvania.The synagogue serves the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in Pennsylvania.
Emergency services arrived at the building at about 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT). A service was taking place at the time.Emergency services arrived at the building at about 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT). A service was taking place at the time.
A reporter at the scene said survivors described hearing the gunman shout anti-Semitic abuse as he entered the building, US media report.A reporter at the scene said survivors described hearing the gunman shout anti-Semitic abuse as he entered the building, US media report.
According to the reports, he was armed with a possible AK-47 assault rifle and two pistols. He was said to have barricaded himself in a room at the synagogue.
Footage broadcast on US news channels showed a police Swat team and ambulances arriving as officers lined the streets.
The gunman was reportedly a heavy-set white male with a beard.The gunman was reportedly a heavy-set white male with a beard.
US President Donald Trump later said the shooting was a "terrible, terrible thing", According to the reports, he was armed with an assault rifle and two pistols. He was said to have barricaded himself in a room at the synagogue.
Footage broadcast on US news channels showed a police Swat team and ambulances arriving as officers lined the streets.
US President Donald Trump later said the shooting was a "terrible, terrible thing".
"To see this happen again and again, for so many years, it's just a shame," he told reporters on Saturday."To see this happen again and again, for so many years, it's just a shame," he told reporters on Saturday.
He described the gunman as a "maniac" and suggested the US should "stiffen up our laws of the death penalty".He described the gunman as a "maniac" and suggested the US should "stiffen up our laws of the death penalty".
"These people should pay the ultimate price. This has to stop," he said."These people should pay the ultimate price. This has to stop," he said.
Mr Trump added that the incident had "little to do" with US gun laws. "If they had protection inside, maybe it could have been a different situation," he said.Mr Trump added that the incident had "little to do" with US gun laws. "If they had protection inside, maybe it could have been a different situation," he said.
The president is due to give a statement about the synagogue shooting when he appears at the Future Farmers of America Convention in Indianapolis later on Saturday.The president is due to give a statement about the synagogue shooting when he appears at the Future Farmers of America Convention in Indianapolis later on Saturday.
The BBC's Dan Johnson in Washington says the shootings come at a tense time in the US, after a week in which mail bombs were sent to critics of Mr Trump, ahead of crucial mid-term elections next month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the shooting as "horrendous anti-Semitic brutality".
Earlier, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement that the incident was an "absolute tragedy" and that such acts of violence could not be accepted as "normal".Earlier, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement that the incident was an "absolute tragedy" and that such acts of violence could not be accepted as "normal".
He said: "These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need."He said: "These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans. My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need."
The New York Police Department said it had deployed officers to synagogues throughout the city as a precaution.The New York Police Department said it had deployed officers to synagogues throughout the city as a precaution.
The BBC's Dan Johnson in Washington says the shootings come at a tense time in the US, after a week in which mail bombs were sent to critics of Mr Trump, ahead of crucial mid-term elections next month.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the incident? If it is safe to do, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the area? Did you witness the incident? If it is safe to do, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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