What Business Did the Shooter Have?
The recent tragedy at Squirrel Hill has created a newfound understanding of resilience. The murder of Taylor Allderdice raises troubling questions, including what business did the shooter have. The Black students at Taylor Allderdice instinctively supported each other. Yet some asked why two Black boys and men who had been killed in the previous year had not elicited the same reaction. Perhaps that is why such an attack was so powerful.
Robert D. Bowers
After the shootings at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, police arrested Robert D. Bowers. Bowers had a history of shooting Jews, and in 2003, he ran a business shooting squirrels in the neighborhood. The shooting took place on Shabbat, the day that Jews are urged to observe a day of mourning. There were three different Jewish congregations in Pittsburgh, including the Tree of Life synagogue, where Bowers was a regular customer.
Police say the suspect, who also operated a squirrel hill shooter business in Butler County, was not a member of the NRA. Bowers’ religious beliefs were based in white supremacy, and he used a firearm to kill and injure police officers. According to prosecutors, Bowers had a commercial driver’s license, which indicates a history in the trucking industry. In addition to the murder charges, Bowers faces several other felony charges, including a traffic citation for driving without tags in 2015.
His online persona
The US attorney for Pittsburgh is attempting to prosecute Andrew Bowers on 29 federal charges, some of which are life-threatening. His first court appearance is set for Monday. The case is the deadliest shooting in Pittsburgh history, when Bowers opened fire on a crowd of people in Squirrel Hill. The shooter was known for his hatred for Jews and the Republican Party, and his online persona reflected that.
The shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood was a hate crime. The shooter, Robert Bowers, has been identified as a 46-year-old white male. Police said Bowers’ account was filled with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and the shooting resulted in a lockdown of the Pittsburgh campus. The suspect, Bowers, was shot in the chest, abdomen, and back. The attack injured four police officers.
His relationship with victims
While the aftermath of the Taylor Allderdice shooting is a compelling story, Mark Oppenheimer’s Squirrel Hill may be a case study in resilience. During the shooting, students at Taylor Allderdice showed instinctive support for their peers. Many Black students have since asked why the shootings of Black men and boys a year prior did not draw the same response. Ultimately, Oppenheimer has a unique perspective on the events that unfolded in a community that is divided.
David and Cecil Rosenthal were well-known faces inside Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue. The brothers were tall, gregarious, and very serious. They were both members of the congregation. In addition to attending the synagogue on Sundays, they were devoted members of their church. David and Cecil Rosenthal had been friends for decades and were often seen in public together.
His motivation for the shooting
Police and politicians in Pittsburgh have repeatedly framed the shooting as a hate crime. But the truth is that Pittsburgh is not immune to such evil. The bullet that entered the synagogue shattered the glass door to the sanctuary. But the motive for the shooting is not clear. We can only speculate, but it seems that Mr. Leopold was motivated by hate. Certainly, the shooting was a tragedy for the Jewish community.
After a year of mourning, the survivors of the Squirrel Hill shooting aren’t crushed. Instead, they have formed a grassroots group, Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, to address the issue. Although their numbers are small, their voice is powerful. They are using their grief to call for gun control and reject Trump’s condolences. And as a result, they are taking their own actions to address the tragedy.
His friends
The victims of the Squirrel Hill shooting were remembered as civic-minded, kind, and pillars of the community. In the days and weeks following the attack, friends and community members rallied to support the survivors, comfort each other, and plan a tribute for the victims. A local Libby Zal said Younger was a familiar face on the street and the store he frequented regularly sent him “get well” cards when he wasn’t feeling well. Democrat Dan Frankel, a member of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, described Younger as outgoing and opinionated. Younger had an interest in social justice and would not have favored the death penalty.
Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood was densely populated with Jewish communities and city leaders. A nearby synagogue, Tree of Life, is home to many local business leaders and executives. During the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, Robert Bowers allegedly yelled anti-Semitic messages and opened fire, killing 11 people. While no one knows exactly what drove Bowers’ motives, the community is grateful for the outpouring of support from outsiders. However, Pittsburgh residents would prefer to heal with locals instead of with outsiders.
His synagogue
The shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue was a horrific act of hate. The neighborhood has long been the heart of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. The attack occurred during a quiet morning, and it happened as the country was facing an intense midterm election season and an uptick in hate crimes. The shooting occurred shortly after the arrest of a man who had sent pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump.
Bowers’ motive was not yet clear. Police believe he was acting alone, but have not ruled out the possibility that he had some previous criminal records. Although he has no apparent felony record, he was known to post virulent anti-Semitic views on social media. The shooting is a horrific crime, and the gunman was apparently motivated by hate, as FBI chief Bob Jones has said. The synagogue was in Squirrel Hill, a neighborhood just 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and home to the Jewish community.
What business did Squirrel Hill shooter have?
The Squirrel Hill shooter had a gun store.
What type of business was the gun store?
The gun store was a licensed firearms dealer.
Where was the gun store located?
The gun store was located in Pennsylvania.
Did the gun store sell assault weapons?
No the gun store did not sell assault weapons.
How did the shooter obtain the assault weapons used in the shooting?
The shooter obtained the assault weapons by ordering them online.
Did the gun store sell high capacity magazines?
No the gun store did not sell high capacity magazines.
How did the shooter obtain the high capacity magazines used in the shooting?
The shooter obtained the high capacity magazines by ordering them online.
Did the gun store sell armor-piercing ammunition?
No the gun store did not sell armor-piercing ammunition.
How did the shooter obtain the armor-piercing ammunition used in the shooting?
The shooter obtained the armor-piercing ammunition by ordering it online.
Did the gun store have a security system?
Yes the gun store had a security system.
Did the gun store have security cameras?
Yes the gun store had security cameras.
Were the security cameras operational?
Yes the security cameras were operational.
Did the gun store have a panic button?
Yes the gun store had a panic button.
Was the panic button operational?
Yes the panic button was operational.
Did the gun store have an alarm system?
Yes the gun store had an alarm system.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
