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US v. Robert Bowers

Criminal No. 18-292


Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, was charged on January 2, 2019, in a 63-count Superseding Indictment.  The original Indictment filed on October 31, 2018, charged Bowers with 44 counts.  The Superseding Indictment adds 13 violations of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, as well as corresponding counts for discharging a firearm during those crimes of violence.  The Superseding Indictment specifically alleges that Bowers willfully caused bodily injury to 11 deceased and 2 surviving victims because of their actual and perceived religion. 

According to the Superseding Indictment, on October 27, 2018, 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 to engage in religious worship.  Bowers entered the building armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle.  While inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, Bowers opened fire, killing and injuring members of the three congregations, as well as injuring multiple responding police officers as they attempted to rescue surviving victims.

Specifically, the Superseding Indictment charges:

  • Eleven counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death; 
  • Eleven counts of hate crimes resulting in death;
  • Two counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury;
  • Two counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill;
  • Eight counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon, and resulting in bodily injury to public safety officers;  
  • Four counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury to public safety officers;
  • Twenty-five counts of discharge of a firearm during these crimes of violence.

The victims include 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue who were killed, 2 congregants who were critically injured by Bowers and 12 congregants who escaped unharmed.  Additionally, the victims include 5 responding police officers who were injured while attempting to rescue surviving victims and apprehend Bowers.

A Superseding Indictment is a formal accusation of conduct, not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The trial began with jury selection on April 24, 2023 and concluded with the sentencing hearing on August 3, 2023.  The defendant was sentenced to death on 22 counts contained in the superseding indictment.

The written information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please contact the Victim Witness Coordinator.

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Updated August 3, 2023