Overview

Robert Bowers is an American white nationalist who, on October 27, 2018, carried out the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting—the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in the United States. The shooting rampage killed 11 and wounded six others. Bowers was indicted by a federal court on charges including hate crimes, as well as the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs and discharging a firearm.“Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree Of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 31, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylvania-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-tree-life-synagogue-shooting. On June 16, 2023, Bowers was convicted on 63 charges, including 22 counts of hate crimes resulting in death and the obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.Megan Guza, “Shooter found guilty of federal hate crimes in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/16/pittsburgh-tree-of-live-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-robert-bowers/stories/202306160050; Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, and Elise Hammond, “Gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting found guilty of all charges,” CNN, June 16, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-06-16-23/index.html. . On July 13, the jury ruled Bowers was eligible for the death penalty.Nicki Brown, “Jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter eligible to face the death penalty,” CNN, July 13, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-death/index.html. On August 3, a judge sentenced Bowers to death.“Judge formally sentences Robert Bowers to death in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,” WTAE ABC 4, August 3, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/robert-bowers-death-sentence-tree-of-life/44723864.

Until the attack, Bowers was unknown to law enforcement. Bowers made at least six firearm purchases since 1996 and had an active gun license.Saeed Ahmed and Paul P. Murphy, “Here's what we know so far about Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect,” CNN, October 28, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/us/synagogue-attack-suspect-robert-bowers-profile/index.html. Based on public records, Bowers had no known employment.Erin Ailworth and James R. Hagerty, “Pittsburgh Shooting Suspect Described as Man Who Kept to Himself,” Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/pittsburgh-shooting-suspect-described-as-man-who-kept-to-himself-1540771482.

According to reports, Bowers was a staunch conservative who regularly listened to Jim Quinn’s The Warroom. Around 2000, Bowers volunteered as the show’s archivist, stockpiling episodes on the website www.onedingo.com. The show regularly espoused right-wing conspiracy theories including the belief that United Nations’ forces were poised to disarm U.S. citizens upon the creation of a global government.Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165.

Sometime in January 2018, Bowers opened an account on Gab, a social network that is popular among alt-right activists and white nationalists. Under the username onedingo, Bowers shared streams of anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories.Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html. In October 2018, Bowers often reposted content on the Christian Identity movement which claims people of European descent are the “chosen people,” that Jews are the enemy, and people of other ethnic and racial backgrounds are meant to be exterminated or enslaved.Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165. Bowers allegedly posted one message stating, “Open you Eyes! It’s the filthy EVIL jews Bringing the Filthy EVIL Muslims into the Country!!”Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html. Bowers was vehemently anti-immigrant in his beliefs and a week before the attack, posted a message stating, “HIAS [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] 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.”Rich Lord, “How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 2018, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/10/Robert-Bowers-extremism-Tree-of-Life-massacre-shooting-pittsburgh-Gab-Warroom/stories/201811080165.; Julie Turkewitz and Kevin Roose, “Who Is Robert Bowers, the Suspect in the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting?,” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html.

On October 27, 2018, Robert Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered together for Sabbath. The synagogue, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, did not have armed security guards. Bowers entered the building armed with multiple firearms, shouting “All Jews must die,” before opening fire.Kellie B. Gormly, Avi Selk, Joel Achenbach, Mark Berman and Alex Horton, “Suspect in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting charged with 29 counts in deaths of 11 people,” Washington Post, October 27, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-police-responding-active-shooting-squirrel-hill-area/. Bowers was injured by gunfire, although authorities state they were unclear whether those wounds were self-inflicted or whether the police had shot him. Bowers was taken to Allegheny General Hospital. He recovered from his wounds and made an initial court appearance on October 29, 2018.Campbell Robertson, Christopher Mele and Sabrina Tavernise, “11 Killed in Synagogue Massacre; Suspect Charged With 29 Counts,” New York Times, October 27, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html.; Eli Rosenberg, “‘I’m Dr. Cohen’: The powerful humanity of the Jewish hospital staff that treated Robert Bowers,” Washington Post, October 30, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2018/10/30/im-dr-cohen-powerful-humanity-jewish-hospital-staff-that-treated-robert-bowers/.

Later that month on October 31, Bowers was indicted on 44 counts, including hate crimes, obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, and use of a firearm to commit murder. On November 1, Bowers pleaded not guilty.“Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 31, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pennsylvania-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-tree-life-synagogue-shooting. On January 29, 2019, a federal grand jury charged Bowers with additional federal hate crimes and firearms offenses, bringing his total count to 63 charges.“Additional Charges Filed in Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 29, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/additional-charges-filed-tree-life-synagogue-shooting-0. On October 15, 2019, federal prosecutors rejected Bowers’ offer to plead guilty in return for life-without-parole. Federal prosecutors favored pursuing the death penalty for Bowers.“Prosecutors criticized for nixing plea offer from Pittsburgh synagogue shooter,” Times of Israel,  October 16, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/prosecutors-criticized-for-nixing-plea-offer-from-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter/.

Bowers’ trial was delayed largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020.A. Martinez and Oliver Morrison, “Trial begins for Robert Bowers, accused of killing 11 in a Pittsburgh synagogue,” NPR, May 31, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/05/31/1179030755/trial-begins-for-robert-bowers-accused-of-killing-11-in-a-pittsburgh-synagogue. In April 2023, Bowers’ defense team filed a motion accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of arbitrarily deciding when to pursue the death penalty. According to the motion, the Justice Department had not sought the death penalty in similar cases. On May 2, U.S. District Judge Robert Colville denied the defense’s motion and ruled the defense had failed to demonstrate how the government’s pursuit of the death penalty was arbitrary.Paula Reed Ward, “Judge denies motion to prohibit death penalty in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting case,” TribLIVE, May 2, 2023, https://triblive.com/local/judge-denies-motion-to-prohibit-death-penalty-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-case/. Bowers’ trial began on May 30.Eric Levenson and Sabrina Souza, “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting trial opens with harrowing 911 call of victim’s last words,” CNN, May 30, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/30/us/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-shooting-trial/index.html. In her opening remarks, lead defense attorney Judy Clarke acknowledged Bowers had committed the attack and their goal was to prevent the imposition of the death penalty. Over 11 days, prosecutors called survivors and first-responders, who recounted their experiences for the jury. The defense team offered no evidence and called no witnesses of their own.Ron Kampeas, “Defense rests in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial without calling witnesses or presenting evidence,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 14, 2023, https://www.jta.org/2023/06/14/politics/defense-lawyers-in-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-will-not-call-witnesses-or-present-evidence. The jury returned from deliberations on June 16 and pronounced Bowers guilty of all 63 charges against him, including 22 charges of hate crimes resulting in death and the obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death. The conviction makes Bowers eligible for the death penalty.Megan Guza, “Shooter found guilty of federal hate crimes in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/16/pittsburgh-tree-of-live-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-robert-bowers/stories/202306160050; Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, and Elise Hammond, “Gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting found guilty of all charges,” CNN, June 16, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial-verdict-06-16-23/index.html.

The court began the sentencing phase of Bowers’ trial on June 26, 2023. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, arguing Bowers intended to kill, used lethal force, and created a grave threat of death to others. The defense sought to forgo the death penalty in favor of life in prison by arguing Bowers suffered from a brain abnormality. The defense called medical experts to testify Bowers’ “delusional beliefs and psychotic delusions” stemmed from a brain impairment, resulting in his “distorted thinking.”“Defense begins presenting in penalty phase of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial,” WTAE ABC 4, June 27, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-penalty-phase-bowers-defense/44355604#; Ron Kampeas, “Pittsburgh trial: Defense claims synagogue shooter has brain abnormalities,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 28, 2023, https://www.jta.org/2023/06/28/politics/pittsburgh-trial-defense-claims-shooter-had-brain-abnormalities.

During the sentencing phase, the defense and prosecution called witnesses who reviewed Bowers’ mental health history, including past psychiatric hospitalizations and Bowers’ belief in the threat of “white genocide.”Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 30, 2023, June 30, 2023, 1:25 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674831618677129230; Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 30, 2023, 1:28 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674832195016441873. According to testimony, Bowers considered his actions to be heroic and he believed his assault on Tree of Life deserved a parade.Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 29, 2023, 3:02 p.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674493608362143762. The defense called psychologist Dr. Richard Rogers, who previously evaluated Bowers in the fall of 2022 at the request of the defense team. According to further testimony from Rogers, Bowers had also looked at a Jewish community center in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill section, but decided on the synagogue because there was a police station too close to the JCC. According to Rogers, Bowers also considered targeting “high level” Jewish individuals.Bob Mayo, Twitter post, June 29, 2023, 8:52 a.m., https://twitter.com/BMayo_WTAE/status/1674400537511428097; Sabrina Souza, “Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter considered other targets, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 30, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-friday/index.html.

Bowers had been voluntarily hospitalized multiple times when he was younger after multiple suicide attempts. His medical records indicated he had attempted suicide when he was 13. He also attempted to spray aerosol at his mother and ignite it. As a result, Bowers spent more than two weeks at McKeesport Hospital in Pennsylvania in September 1985. That October, he was transferred to Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. He was then committed to the Bradley Center psychiatric facility in Robinson for aggression, specifically physical, verbal, and fire-setting. He was discharged in June 1986 after 10 consecutive months in three separate institutions.Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html; Julia Zenkevich, “Psychologist says ‘psychotic’ Pittsburgh synagogue shooter also drove by JCC on morning of attack,” 90.5 WESA, June 29, 2023, https://www.wesa.fm/courts-justice/2023-06-29/synagogue-shooter-pittsburgh-mentally-ill. When he was 16, Bowers was involuntarily committed. He attempted suicide again at age 17. In 1990, he was committed for repeated suicide attempts. He was involuntarily committed again in 2004.Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html.

Describing Bowers’ history of schizophrenia, Rogers called Bowers “blatantly psychotic.”Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html. During Rogers’ previous interview with Bowers, Bowers blamed Jews for importing invaders who were killing thousands of white people. During the sentencing trial, Rogers testified that Bowers not only believed his actions at Tree of Life had been correct, but they had been necessary.Megan Guza, “‘This became his life’: Expert testifies that convicted synagogue shooter obsessed over killing Jewish people,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 30, 2023, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/29/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-mass-shooting-robert-bowers-death-penalty-trial/stories/202306290089. Neurologist Siddhartha Nadkarni testified Bowers suffered from schizophrenia and epilepsy. Nadharni previously interviewed Bowers in September 2021. The neurologist testified Bowers had made assertions during that interview referencing historic antisemitic tropes about people drinking blood and killing children. According to Nadkarni, Bowers has “delusional beliefs” and is unable to “process or interpret information correctly.”Sabrina Souza and Eric Levenson, “Pittsburgh synagogue gunman was ‘blatantly psychotic’ and viewed himself as hero, psychologist testifies,” CNN, June 29, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-schizophrenia/index.html. After hearing from 20 witnesses over two weeks, the jury decided on July 13 Bowers was eligible for the death penalty.Nicki Brown, “Jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter eligible to face the death penalty,” CNN, July 13, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter-trial-death/index.html The sentencing phase began on July 17. Jurors heard testimony from grieving families and survivors. On August 2, the jury recommended Bowers receive the death penalty.Peter Smith, “The Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will be sentenced to death for the nation’s worst antisemitic attack,” Associated Press, August 2, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-27e3b1a505cacdd674ee9b8a179aa1a8. On August 3, Judge Robert Colville officially sentenced Bowers to death.“Judge formally sentences Robert Bowers to death in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,” WTAE ABC 4, August 3, 2023, https://www.wtae.com/article/robert-bowers-death-sentence-tree-of-life/44723864.