Police in Lakewood, Toms River, and Marlboro have increased patrols near synagogues following Saturday's shooting at a Pittsburgh temple that left at least 11 dead.

Lakewood police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said that patrol officers assigned to areas in which synagogues are located have been instructed to "conduct extra checks in response to today's shooting in Pennsylvania."

"In addition, officers assigned to our special response team have been deployed and will be visible and available if needed," Staffordsmith wrote in an email.

Lakewood is home to a growing population of more than 60,000 Orthodox Jews, and in recent years, young Jewish families seeking larger homes and bigger yards have begun moving into nearby Jackson and Toms River.

Anti-Semitism:Anti-Semitism: On the rise or ebbing?

Opinion:EDITORIAL: Hate crimes up, thanks to Trump

In Marlboro, police Capt. Frederick Rech said in a statement Saturday that the township has increased visible patrols at all Jewish houses of worship. He urged citizens to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.

The man accused in a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning screamed anti-Semitic epithets, including "All Jews must die," as he fired at random, a law enforcement official told USA TODAY.

Robert Bowers, 46, was armed with at least one rifle during the alleged attack inside the Tree of Life synagogue, the official said.

The official said the suspect left a trail of anti-Semitic rants on social media accounts, prompting authorities to designate the FBI as the lead agency to investigate the attack as an alleged hate crime.

Cemetery vandalism:Gopal offers reward for answers in Freehold Twp. Jewish cemetery vandalism

Race attack:Freehold race attack: Jerry Wolkowitz, Asbury Park Press freelancer and longtime EMT, dies

Bowers was injured in a shootout with officers. He was taken to the hospital after the shooting, law enforcement officials in Pittsburgh said. He is the only suspect thus far in the investigation.

At least 11 people were reported dead and six others injured, including several police officers, as can be seen in the video above this story.

Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said extra patrols have been added in areas near synagogues "as a precaution" following the Pittsburgh shooting.

Police have had extra patrols near synagogues during the Jewish holidays for many years, because there have been threats made against the community in the past.

The shooting took place on the Sabbath, Gov. Phil Murphy expressed shock at news of the shooting, and said "no one should ever fear for their safety because of their religion."

Bias reports up at Shore:Bias reports up at Shore, state downward trend reversed

"Our thoughts are with all the families of Tree of Life Synagogue, the people of Pittsburgh, and the Jewish community," Murphy said in a prepared statement. "We also keep members of law enforcement in our prayers, especially those officers who were shot in the line of duty.

“We must recommit to ending the scourge of gun violence and to restoring respect for freedom and diversity of religions upon which our nation is based," Murphy said.

Contributing: USA Today

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com