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The man suspected of killing 11 people during a baby-naming ceremony at a US synagogue has been named and pictured by US media.

Robert Bowers reportedly burst into the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh carrying multiple weapons before unleashing bullets on terrified worshippers.

Bowers, in his 40s, also reportedly yelled 'all Jews must die' and was shouting antisemitism statements.

It is believed he acted alone. He is in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

It's not clear if he was shot by police or the wounds were self-inflicted.

A Pittsburgh City official told a news conference 'the scene is very bad inside' the synagogue.

Follow all the live updates here.

(Image: Twitter)

Bowers surrendered to police after exchanging gunfire with officers who confronted him when he ran back inside the synagogue to hide.

Authorities say he was injured and crawling.

The killer had posted anti-semitic messages on a right-wing social network moments before the attack, according to reports.

Writing on Gab, he allegedly posted: “HIAS (a Jewish organisation that supports refugees) 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.”

Six people have been injured - including four police officers - in the tragedy which has rocked America.

Pittsburgh public safety director Wendell Hissrich looked close to tears at a press conference this evening in which he confirmed 11 people died at the scene.

He said no children had been hurt or are among the dead.

The injured patients were taken to various hospitals. Two are in a critical condition and others are "doing well" despite being seriously injured.

They include a 61-year-old woman, and a 70-year-old man, who suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and is in a critical condition.

A 55-year-old officer suffered multiple wounds and has undergone surgery. He is in a critical condition.

(Image: REUTERS)

A 27-year-old officer also suffered soft tissue injuries and grazing. He is recovering in hospital.

The other injured officers are doing "fine," said Dr Don Yealy in the press conference. One has been discharged from hospital.

Chief Scott Schubert has also praised officers who ran into danger to get people to safety and save lives during the active shooting.

Hissrich said earlier today: "It's a very horrific crime scene, one of the worst that I've seen, and I've been on some plane crashes."

(Image: Getty Images)

The FBI will lead the probe into the attack which is being treated as hate crime.

Emergency services were first called at around 10am (2pm UK time) following reports of an active shooter.

Worshippers fled in terror when the gunman stormed inside.

Some took refuge in the synagogue's basement where three people were reportedly shot.

(Image: @WPXI_Lori) (Image: @coachtvnews)

The area was sealed off and people are being urged to stay away, while residents were told to not leave their homes.

Mayor of Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto, said shortly after the shooting: "Multiple casualties. Three Officers have been shot. Area is NOT secure. All residents required to stay inside their homes until further notice."

The synagogue was checked for explosives that the shooter might have deposited, according to authorities.

Local hospitals also cleared emergency rooms to tend to patients. The 11 that died were pronounced dead at the scene.

President Donald Trump tweeted: "Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene.

(Image: @coachtvnews)

"People in Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!"

Witnesses who called 911 said the gunman walked into the synagogue and opened fire.

One person wrote on Twitter : "There was just a man who opened fire in the synagogue down the street from my job. We’ve seen 15+ police cars drive by."

The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department said in a tweet earlier: “There is an active shooter in the area of WILKINS and Shady.

“Avoid the area. More info will be released when it is available.”

The FBI and SWAT teams were also at the scene.

Carnegie Mellon University, which is nearby, was put on lockdown in the aftermath, with students said to have received text messages telling them to stay inside.

(Image: @meganguzaTrib) (Image: @JacobCBPaul)

“Do not come out of your home right now, it is not safe,” Pittsburgh police Commander Jason Lando warned local residents, in an impromptu news conference at the scene.

Meanwhile, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said: “We are devastated.

"Jews targeted on Shabbat morning at synagogue, a holy place of worship, is unconscionable. Our hearts break for the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community."

The Tree of Life Congregation was founded more than 150 years ago.

It describes itself on its website as "a conservative Jewish congregation" which "remains true to traditional teachings, yet is also progressive and relevant to the way we live today."

This afternoon, Trumpdenied that American gun laws are to blame for the atrocity.

Asked whether laws should be revisited in the light of the attack, he replied: “This has little to do with it, if they had protection inside the temple maybe it could have been a different situation.

“He was able to do things that he shouldn’t have been able to do.

“Numerous police were injured.”

(Image: Getty Images)

And he continued: “When people do things like this they should get the death penalty.”

Pennsylvania’s governor has described the attack as a “senseless act of violence”.

In a series of tweets, Tom Wolf said: “This is an absolute tragedy. These senseless acts of violence are not who we are as Americans.

“My thoughts right now are focused on the victims, their families and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need.

“We must all pray and hope for no more loss of life. But we have been saying “this one is too many” for far too long. Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm’s way.

(Image: Getty Images)

“And in the aftermath of this tragedy, we must come together and take action to prevent these tragedies in the future. We cannot accept this violence as normal.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "heartbroken and appalled" by the shooting attack.

"The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead," he said.

"We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, we stand together with the American people in the face of this horrendous anti-Semitic brutality and we all pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded."