LGBT groups condemn ‘devastating’ mass shooting in Pittsburgh Synagogue

LGBT+ and human rights groups have condemned the devastating mass-shooting that took place yesterday in Pittsburgh, USA, which resulted in the deaths of 11 Jewish people in a Synagogue.

Six more people were injured in the mass-shooting, which the Anti-Defamation League say is the deadliest attack on Jews in US history. Police are treating it as a hate crime.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty

The suspect has been named as Robert Bowers, who has been charged with murder and will face 29 criminal counts.

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, said the news of the shooting was “devastating and infuriating.”

“Nobody should ever be attacked in their place of worship. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones and GLAAD stands with you against anti-Semitism and violence.”

Meanwhile, Janson Wu, executive director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders said they were “saddened and horrified” by the shooting.

“Our hearts and our thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, those who were hurt by this violence, and to all those in our Jewish communities who are reeling from this news.

“We denounce hate in all its forms and condemn the anti-Semitism that motivated this incident.”

People gather for a interfaith candlelight vigil (Jeff Swensen/Getty)

He added that it is the country’s “collective responsibility” to mend the world by ending gun violence and erasing “hateful rhetoric” that leads to attacks like the one in Pittsburgh.