The deadly shooting happened Saturday during what was supposed to be a day of celebration at the Tree of Life synagogue: a baby naming ceremony. That’s when 11 people were murdered and six others hurt.
Andrew Lipkin with the Youngstown, Ohio Area Jewish Federation was on his way to Pittsburgh to visit his daughter when he found out about the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation.
“It’s hate and something needs to be done in the communities,” Lipkin said.
“Pittsburgh is not that far away and you know we all hate to say, it’s not a question of if it’s going to happen. It could be when and that’s really scary for us,” Lipkin said.
“It didn’t hit me until I was actually here,” said Rory Monhehan, who grew up in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He said the area is predominantly Jewish and said Saturday’s attack affected all of his neighbors.
“The air feels different and the more and more you think about it, the more it actually, it seems like real, I guess,” Monhehan said.
Just a few blocks away, folks crowded into the 6th Presbyterian Church for prayer and unity
“That really helps people start to heal. It’s going to take a long time,” said Pittsburgh resident Christopher Thyberg, “I think this is a slow process, but it at least gives you a sense that you’re not alone,”