'Special Attention' On Chicago Synagogues After Shooting: Cops

CHICAGO — Law enforcement officials in Chicago will be "providing special attention to all synagogues" in the city following a mass shooting Saturday at a Pittsburgh synagogue, according to authorities. While no threats had been made to local religious institutions, police will continue to monitor developments, Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson said in a joint statement with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office Saturday.

"Our hearts are with the people of Pittsburgh, the Jewish community, the law enforcement community, and the families of each of the victims, in the wake of this terrible tragedy," Johnson and Emanuel said in a statement. "While there are no threats to religious institutions in Chicago at this time, the Chicago Police Department is closely monitoring this situation and providing special attention to all synagogues throughout Chicago."

At least 11 people were killed and six people — including four police officers — were wounded when a 46-year-old gunman armed with an assault rifle walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood Saturday. Robert Bowers reportedly yelled, "All Jews must die!" before opening fire and going on a 20-minute shooting spree that the Anti-Defamation League described as likely "the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States."

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According to a national audit by the group, anti-Semetic incidents rose 57 percent between 2016 and 2017, the largest single-year increase on record and the second-highest number reported since the organization began tracking that data in 1979. Last year, 1,986 incidents happened in the United States, and it was the first year since at least 2010 that one occurred in every state.

Illinois also saw an increase on attacks directed at the Jewish community. There were 47 incidents in 2017 compared to 10 in 2016.

"It’s a very bad day for America," Steven Nasatir, president of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, told the Chicago Tribune.

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President Donald Trump addressed the shooting during a previously scheduled rally for U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in southern Illinois. He condemned the attack and used it as an example of why the death penalty needed to be a sentencing option in U.S. justice system.

"The hearts of all Americans are in grief," Trump said at the Murphysboro event, which also was attended by Gov. Bruce Rauner. "This evil anti-Semitic attack is an assault on all of us. It's an assault on humanity. It will require all of us working together to extract the hateful poison of anti-Semitism from our world."

"We must stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to defeat anti-Semitism and vanquish the forces of hate," he added.

Photo via Chicago Police Department | City of Chicago