UPDATE: Active shooter near Pittsburgh-area synagogue now in custody

Police in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have confirmed an active shooter near a synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Saturday.

KDKA-TV reported that at least 11 people are dead at the time of this writing, with several more injured.

Update 10/27/18, 12:24 p.m.:

Pittsburgh Police spokesman Chris Togneri verified that the suspect is in police custody.

Update 10/27/18, 12:11 p.m.:

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) issued a statement regarding Saturday's mass murder.

The shooting in Pittsburgh this morning is an absolute tragedy. I have spoken with local leaders and my administration and the Pennsylvania State Police will provide any resources to assist local law enforcement and first responders.

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.

We must all pray and hope for no more loss of life. But we have been saying “this one is too many” for far too long. Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm’s way.

And in the aftermath of this tragedy, we must come together and take action to prevent these tragedies in the future. We cannot accept this violence as normal.

Update 10/27/18, 12:05 p.m.:

Michael Eisenberg, who is a past President of the Tree of Life Synagogue, provided a breakdown to KDKA of what typically happens during Saturday services at the synagogue.

“At 9:45 there were three simultaneous congregations’ services that were being held,” he explained. “In the main part of the building, The Tree of Life has a service that has about 40 people in it. Just below that there is a basement area where new life congregation would have been having their Shabbat service. There would have been 30-40 people. Just adjacent to tree of light’s service area a congregation was in the rabbi study room and they would have had approximately 15 people in there."

Update 10/27/18, 11:39 a.m.:

It is being reported that at least three police officers have been shot in the attack. Their condition is unknown at the time of this writing.

Update 10/27/18, 11:28 a.m.: KDKA has reported that the attack appears to be motivated by hatred.

The mass killing suspect reportedly entered the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday morning and yelled, “All Jews Must die.”

Carnegie Mellon University, which is near the scene, was also reportedly on lockdown in response to the incident.



The president tweeted about the incident, writing, "Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!"

Original story below.

What are the details?

The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department tweeted about the unfolding incident, writing, "There is an active shooter in the area of Wilkins and Shady. Avoid the area. More info will be released when it is available."

The department followed up their initial tweet with one that implored media outlets to stop calling Public Safety mobile phones.

"Media please stop calling all Public Safety cell phones," the tweet read. "It is draining batteries and interfering w comms."

The active shooter was reported to be near the Tree of Life Synagogue, and multiple victims have been reported so far.

According to KDKA, there is a heavy police presence in the area.

The station also reported that law enforcement have requested that residents remain inside their homes.

Police have reportedly exchanged gunfire with the alleged gunman. Two officers have reportedly been shot so far.

KDKA noted that the synagogue was full of people for a Saturday service, and several of those people inside reportedly phoned authorities for help.

The station has also reported that a suspect — a white male — has surrendered to the SWAT team.

The suspect is reportedly injured.

This is a developing story and will be updated as events warrant.