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USA TODAY

A shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue left 11 people dead and six injured Saturday morning, stoking horror in a heavily Jewish part of the western Pennsylvania city.

The shooting occurred at the conservative Jewish Tree of Life Synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood during a baby-naming ceremony. More than half of Greater Pittsburgh's Jewish community lives in the area.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, a veteran of the department, was on the verge of tears as he described the crime scene as "one of the worst I've ever seen."

More:Who is Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers? Anti-Semitic comments paint picture of man on mission

Who is the suspect?

Robert Bowers, 46, was charged by federal prosecutors with 29 counts, including using a firearm to commit murder. Bowers was allegedly armed with an assault rifle and four handguns.

Investigators believe he acted alone.

Posts believed to be from Bowers’ social media accounts show pictures of several Glock pistols in their cases and derogatory remarks about refugees, Jewish people and President Donald Trump.

What happened?

Bowers allegedly burst into the synagogue and screamed, "All Jews must die!", among other anti-Semitic epithets, as he opened fire on the congregants, according to a law enforcement official who is not authorized to comment publicly.

The FBI is investigating the mass shooting as a hate crime, according to the official.

Bowers allegedly shot and killed the 11 victims before being confronted by police. The call of a shooting at the synagogue came in at around 9:54 a.m. EDT, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said at a news conference.

As Bowers attempted to exit the synagogue, a gunfight erupted and two officers were injured, Pittsburgh bureau FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Jones said.

In a later exchange of gunfire, two SWAT team members were injured. Bowers was taken into custody and is in fair condition with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Suspect:Robert Bowers, 46, is the suspect in 'horrific' shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue

What was the scene like?

Tree of Life immediate past president Michael Eisenberg said he spoke with a maintenance man who hid in one of the bathrooms during the shooting and witnessed a wounded congregant before fleeing through an exit.

Eisenberg said he was on his way to services there when he noticed police swarming the streets.

"There were police cars everywhere, guns drawn, rifles," he told KDKA-TV. "It was surreal."

President:Trump says Pittsburgh shooting has 'little' to do with gun laws, armed guard could have prevented tragedy

Who are the victims?

The victims have not been identified by officials.

Eisenberg, the former president at Tree of Life, told KDKA-TV that there were three congregations meeting simultaneously on Saturday morning, probably totaling around 100 people. They were gathered in the main part of the building, as well in the basement and in the rabbi study room, he said.

Authorities have established a hotline for family members of the victims:

What is Tree of Life?

The synagogue was founded 150 years ago and offers members a "traditional Conservative service with a modern sense of family" and shabbat service on 9:45 a.m. Saturdays, according to the Tree of Life's website.

What is Squirrel Hill?

Squirrel Hill is a Jewish enclave near Carnegie Melon University. A little more than 50 percent of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish community lives in or around the neighborhood, said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

Officials and leaders are weighing in

Trump has commented publicly about the shooting: "It's a terrible, terrible thing what's going on with hate in our country and, frankly, all over the world," Trump said. "Something has to be done."

Trump also tweeted about the incident:

Trump told reporters at a rally in southern Illinois that he will travel to Pittsburgh in the wake of the shooting. He offered no other details.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a statement:

"Today 11 innocent people were suddenly and viciously murdered during religious services and several law enforcement officers were shot. Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty."

Former President Barack Obama issued a statement on Twitter:

Other local leaders, including Pennsylvania's governor, have issued statements of condolence.

“The shooting in Pittsburgh this morning is an absolute tragedy." Gov. Tom Wolf said in a written statement. "I have spoken with local leaders and my administration and the Pennsylvania State Police will provide any resources to assist local law enforcement and first responders."

Contributing: Joel Shannon, Rick Jervis and Sean Rossman, Dalvin Brown USA TODAY; Candy Wodall, York Daily Record