A survivor of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre says he and other worshippers hid in a supplies cupboard as the gunman stepped over the body of a man he had just shot and killed.
Barry Werber said the gunman entered their hiding spot and looked around, before moving to another part of the synagogue.
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| SWAT police officers respond after a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue. |
"He didn't see us, thank God," said Mr Werber.
"He looked around only because there was a shaft of light as he opened the door.
"He stepped over Mel's body, didn't pay any attention, stepped back and walked out."
Eleven people died when a gunman stormed the Tree of Life synagogue, yelling "all Jews must die" as he opened fire on the congregation.
Attorney Scott Brady said federal prosecutors intended to pursue the death penalty against Robert Bowers, the 46-year-old long-haul truck driver who is accused of the killings.
At least 2,000 mourners packed the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on Sunday (local time), and thousands more stood outside in a vigil for the dead.
Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers told those gathered that the shooting started a few minutes after he had began services.
He said there were 12 people in the sanctuary at the time, most sitting in the back.
"I helped pull out the people that I could from the front. But, alas, I had eight people in the back. One fortunately survived," he said.
"Seven of my congregants were shot dead in my sanctuary. My holy place has been defiled."
Married couple, brothers and 97-year-old among victims
The names of the dead — professors and accountants, dentists and beloved doctors serving their local community — were released on Sunday.
A 97-year-old woman, two brothers in their 50s and a married couple in their 80s were among the casualties.
In addition to the 11 mostly elderly victims who were killed, six people, including four police officers, were wounded before Mr Bowers was arrested.
The two brothers who were killed, Cecil and David Rosenthal, were an inseparable, warm-hearted pair according to ACHIEVA, an organisation that provides services to people with disabilities.
ACHIEVA vice-president Chris Schopf recalled 59-year-old Cecil's infectious laugh and 54-year-old David's gentle spirit.
Mr Schopf said the two "looked out for one another" and were "kind, good people with a strong faith and respect for everyone around".
Melvin Wax, 88, who was always one of the first to arrive at synagogue and among the last to leave, was also killed.
"He and I used to, at the end of services, try to tell a joke or two to each other," said Myron Snider, a fellow member of New Light Congregation, which rented space in the basement of the Tree of Life Synagogue where the attack took place.
"Most of the time they were clean jokes. Most of the time. I won't say all the time. But most of the time."
Mr Snider said "Me" was unfailingly generous and a "sweet, sweet guy".
Also killed was Joyce Fienberg, a 74-year-old who spent most of her career at the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Centre before retiring in 2008.
Gaea Leinhardt, who was Mrs Fienberg's research partner for decades, said she was devastated by the murder of her colleague and friend.
"Joyce was a magnificent, generous, caring and profoundly thoughtful human being," Dr Leinhardt said.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto called it the "darkest day of Pittsburgh's history," and said he personally knew some of the victims.
Pittsburgh resident Mr Bowers was taken into custody after a shootout with a SWAT team during which four police officers were wounded.
Calls began coming in to 911 from the synagogue just before 10:00am Saturday (local time), reporting "they were being attacked," court documents said.
Mr Bowers shot one of the first two officers to respond in the hand, and the other was wounded by "shrapnel and broken glass".
A tactical team found Mr Bowers on the third floor, where he shot two officers multiple times, the affidavit said.
One of the wounded officers was left fighting for his life in hospital.
Mr Bowers, who was armed with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns and used all four weapons in the attack, told an officer while he was being treated for his injuries "that he wanted all Jews to die and also that they (Jews) were committing genocide to his people," the affidavit said.
He was taken to a hospital where he was listed in fair condition with multiple gunshot wounds.
Federal prosecutors charged Mr Bowers with 29 criminal counts including 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.
"The actions of Robert Bowers represent the worst of humanity," US attorney for western Pennsylvania Scott Brady said.
"We are dedicating the entire resources of my office to this federal hate crime investigation and prosecution."
Special agent Bob Jones of the FBI, which is leading the probe, said the crime scene was the worst he had seen in 22 years with the agency.
He said he believed Mr Bowers was acting alone, adding: "We have no knowledge that he was known to law enforcement before today."
Mr Bowers had made many anti-Semitic posts online, including one early on Saturday.
In another, he slammed US President Donald Trump for doing nothing to stop an "infestation" of the United States by Jews.
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