Suspect Of The Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre: Robert Bowers Surrender Himself Due To Out Of Ammo And Being Injured

A  SWAT officer who responded to the Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre that occurred in 2018 testified on Wednesday saying that Robert Bowers who allegedly fatally shot 11 people on that day, only surrendered to a police officer due to he was out of ammo and had been injured from a gunshot.

Suspect Of The Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre: Robert Bowers Surrended Himself Due To Out Of Ammo And Being Injured (PHOTO: CBS News)

Suspect Of The Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre

Michael O’Keefe was the former lieutenant and tactical commander with the Allegheny County Police Department’s SWAT team is also the one who responded to the Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre. On Wednesday, O’Keefe testified in court about the police response, shootout, and eventual surrender of the gunman, identified as Robert Bowers 50 years old.

according to O’Keefe when Bowers was surrendering himself to them he left a statement saying, “Invaders were coming, Jews were killing our children, and he had to take a move.”

Bowers also said he only surrendered because he was out of AR-15 ammo and had been fired by police, O’Keefe testified.

The testimony arrived as part of the federal hate crimes trial of Robert Bowers, who has pleaded not guilty to 63 charges, including hindering the free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and hate crimes. If convicted, s Robert Bowers could face the death penalty.

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Robert Bowers Had A Long Hatred For Jewish People

Opening statements took place last week, and the trial is anticipated to last into July. The case so far has featured testimony from those inside the Tree of Life synagogue that October 2018 day, officers who responded to the shooting, and medical experts speaking about those killed.

Prosecutors have said Bowers’s motives for the attack were because of his long hatred for Jewish people. The defense has not challenged or cross-examined most of the witnesses but in opening statements aimed to raise questions about his motive and intention in the massacre.

Shawn Eigenbrode a paramedic in court Wednesday, also testified that he treated Bowers’ injuries after the shooting and assisted to carry him out of the synagogue through a fire escape at the back of a classroom.

Bowers’ voice can be heard when Federal prosecutor Soo Song played surveillance footage of Bowers being brought out through the fire escape.  This is the first evidence that is shown in which the public can hear or see Bowers on the day of the Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre.

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