US expands charges against Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

US prosecutors said they had expanded the indictment of the man who killed 11 Jews at a Pittsburgh synagogue last year, increasing the number of charges he faces to 63.

The Justice Department added 13 hate crimes charges against Robert Bowers, who allegedly opened fire inside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on October 27, 2018, saying he wanted to "kill Jews."

Bowers killed members of three congregations in the synagogue for services, and wounded two worshippers and several police officers who responded to the attack.

It was the worst anti-Semitic attack in recent US history, and added to fears about a resurgence of far-right extremists and neo-Nazis across the country. Bowers expressed strong anti-Semitic views over the internet ahead of the attack.

The expanded indictment includes multiple counts of hate crimes resulting in murder and attempted murder; obstruction of religious practice resulting in murder and attempted murder; and multiple gun-related crimes.

Twenty-two of the 63 counts could result in the death penalty, the Justice Department said.

A trial date has not been set.

Divided we fall

In response to the attack, a crowdfunding campaign by two Muslim American groups at the time raised more than $230,000 for the surviving victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and the relatives of the victims.

It was organised by CelebrateMercy and MPower Change, Muslim-American non-profits, both of which were widely celebrated across the globe for their show of goodwill.

"We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action," the groups said in a statement.

Fundraising proceeds went toward meeting the short-term needs of the injured victims and grieving families, including funeral expenses and medical bills.

"Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate and violence in America," the groups said.

"We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event."

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