What We Know About Robert Bowers, Suspect in Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Law enforcement officials identified Robert D. Bowers, 46, as the suspect in the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Bowers is in custody and was taken to a hospital.

Here’s what we know about the suspect:

— Bowers’ social media activity shows a history of virulent anti-Semitism, filled with slurs and references to conspiracy theories.

— He was armed with an assault rifle and two handguns, and had 21 guns registered to his name, according to Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa.

— In an account under his name on the social network Gab, Bowers’ biography read: “Jews are the children of Satan.” His posts frequently implied that Jews controlled the country.

— Hours before Bowers allegedly entered the synagogue, he posted about a Jewish organization that assists refugees: “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.”

— Law enforcement officials said at a news conference Saturday that he was “not known to law enforcement” before the shooting.

Gab has grown increasingly popular among alt-right activists and white nationalists whose views are unwelcome on other services. It grew out of claims of anti-conservative bias by Facebook and Twitter.

Bowers frequently reposted anti-Semitic content from other users, including a doctored image of the concentration camp Auschwitz, in which the gate reads: “Lies Make Money.” One post read: “Open you Eyes! It’s the filthy EVIL jews Bringing the Filthy EVIL Muslims into the Country!!” Another showed the president in conversation with a man wearing a skullcap.

Bowers appeared to be incensed by news of immigrants coming to the United States. Weeks ago, he posted a link to the website of HIAS, a Jewish nonprofit, which was planning a shabbat ceremony for refugees in locations around the country.

The caption read: “Why hello there HIAS! You like to bring in hostile invaders to dwell among us?”

He was also at times critical of President Donald Trump. Two days before the shooting, he wrote: “Trump is a globalist, not a nationalist. There is no #MAGA as long as there is a” — Bowers inserted a slur for Jews — “infestation.”

On Saturday, Gab confirmed that the name on the account matched the name of the alleged shooter. The company took down the account and released a statement saying it was cooperating with law enforcement.

“Gab unequivocally disavows and condemns all acts of terrorism and violence,” the statement read.

A search of the Pennsylvania judiciary database showed only a traffic violation from 2015 for Bowers. He pleaded guilty.