A federal grand jury on Tuesday unveiled new charges against Robert Bowers, the alleged gunman behind the deadly Tree of Life Synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, Pa., last October.
Bowers was originally charged with 44 counts, but the new indictment now charges him with 63. The increase includes 13 violations of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, as well as corresponding charges for the use of a firearm during those crimes.
Bowers is also alleged to have “willfully caused bodily injury to 11 deceased and two surviving victims because of their actual and perceived religion,” according to the superseding indictment.
The Oct. 27, 2018, shooting left 11 people dead and seven more injured in what was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the U.S.
The new indictment alleged that Bowers posed statements on the website gab.com in October 2018 that were critical of of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and affiliated congregations hosting refugee-related events.
On his gab.com profile, Bowers argued that “Jews are the children of Satan” and had other posts that referred to Jewish people using anti-Semitic slurs.
Before entering the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers posted on gab.com: “HIAS 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.”
According to the Justice Department, 22 counts make Bowers eligible for the death penalty should he be convicted.
The U.S. attorney general must determine that the offenses warrant the death penalty and file a notice with the court before trial begins.
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he was open to pursuing the death penalty against Bowers at the time of the attack.
It is likely that attorney general nominee William Barr will be atop the Justice Department when the time comes to notify the court about the decision to pursue the death penalty, and he has not spoken publicly on the matter.
Bowers further faces a maximum possible penalty of life without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 250 years’ imprisonment. Bowers pleaded not guilty to the original 44 counts lodged against him.
