Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Eleven lives abruptly ended on Saturday when a gunman stormed the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh's historic Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

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Town and Country

21 Lucky Gifts to Shop This Valentine's Day

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Feb 12

Robert Bowers, a truck driver accused of killing 11 during an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue, pleaded not guilty to numerous charges in federal court, Monday

First responders stand outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh where the shooting took place on October 27, 2018

Defense attorney Judy Clarke expressed hope the case will be resolved without trial. Clarke is known for negotiating plea deals that have helped infamous killers avoid death row

A grand jury on January 29 added 19 counts to the 44 Bowers was already facing

Prosecutors in Pittsburgh have previously indicated their intent to seek the death penalty against Bowers

President Donald Trump's White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, Trump's daughter, stand at a memorial for those killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue

Federal prosecutors added more charges, including religious hate crimes against Robert Bowers, the man suspected of gunning down 11 worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The total number of charges against Bowers now totals 44.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where gunman, Robert Bowers, opened fire on worshippers, killing 11 during the Sabbath services.

Daily Mail

Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect pleads not guilty

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Feb 11

Huffington Post

Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty To New Charges

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Feb 11

Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12, 2017.

Rabbi Chuck Diamond arrives on the street corner outside the Tree of Life Synagogue on Nov. 3, 2018, to lead a Shabbat morning service one week after 11 people were killed and six wounded in a shooting at the synagogue.

Huffington Post

How Can American Jews Stay Safe Now?

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Feb 9

Fox News

Pittsburgh synagogue shooting survivor at State of the Union unexpectedly serenaded on 81st birthday

A somber Judah Samet, a Holocaust survivor and member of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, stood up as President Trump recalled the tragedy that took 11 lives in October...

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Feb 5

To focus attention on his continued push for a border wall, President Donald Trump's guests at his State of the Union address include relatives of an elderly Nevada couple, Gerald and Sharon David, who authorities say were killed last month by an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador. The family members are (left to right) granddaughter Heather Armstrong, daughter Debra Bissell and great-granddaughter Madison Armstrong.

Matthew Charles, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for drug charges and released as a result of the recently passed First Step Act, is one of Trump's State of the Union guests.

Alice Johnson, whose life sentence was commuted by President Trump, is another of Trump's State of the Union guests.

Other speech guests include Joshua Trump, a Delaware boy the White House said has been bullied over his last name, and Grace Eline, a New Jersey girl who recently finished chemotherapy for cancer.

Also among the White House guests are Pittsburgh Police SWAT Officer Timothy Matson, who was wounded in the October mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, and Judah Samet, a survivor of the attack.

Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Elvin Hernandez and lumber plant manager Roy James complete Trump's guest list for his speech.

Huffington Post

Trump's State Of The Union Guests Include Bullied Boy, Synagogue Shooting Survivors

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Feb 5

From Parkland, Fla., to Thousand Oaks, Calif., these victims of mass shootings illustrate the unending horror and fallen heroes of a heartbreaking epidemic of gun violence

After a shooter killed 17 people on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., students there who participated in a Feb. 15 candlelight vigil (pictured) organized a national March for Our Lives campaign to advocate for changes in gun laws around the country. But 2018 still would see more mass shootings: 10 killed at Santa Fe High School in Texas on May 18; five killed in an Annapolis, Md., newsroom on June 28; 11 killed at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27; and 11 killed in the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Nov. 7.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Before a student gunman killed 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the trombone player for the school's Eagle Regiment Band had "beamed with pride" when the band won the state championship in 2017. "He was a small kid with a tenacity and a quiet drive," said band director Alex Kaminsky.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The 2018 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist "was more than the girl who read millions of books and played music and did art," said Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School classmate Sara Imam, who remembers her friend's "signature lopsided smile." Said Imam: "She brought to us joy and jokes dripping with sarcasm. She laughed with us; sang with us; cared for us. When any of us were sad or sick, Carmen was there to hug us and ask if we were okay. She was going to do great things."

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The "always smiling" high school freshman who loved basketball, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and mac-and-cheese was "a happy-go-lucky kid," said his aunt Joan Cox. "He never caused any trouble. He was just a good boy and had a great life."

The well-loved assistant football coach and campus security monitor at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was killed protecting students. "He would do it again in a heartbeat," said his brother Raymond Feis.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Meadow loved animals, planned to attend Lynn University in nearby Boca Raton and had a boyfriend, Brandon Schoengrund, who memorialized her by saying at her funeral, "I knew God blessed me with an angel I would love for the rest of my life." Her father, Andrew, struggled with anger and grief, telling mourners, "This is just unimaginable to think that I will never see my princess again. This piece of s— killed my kid, and I couldn't do anything about it."

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: A member of JROTC described by her family as "vibrant and determined," Alaina joined her fellow Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints members to help those impacted in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. "Her selfless service brought peace and joy to those who had lost everything," the family said.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The senior swim team member at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had recently returned from a visit to the University of Indianapolis, which awarded him an academic scholarship. Nicholas "dreamed of making the Olympic swim team and going to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo," his family said.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's athletic director served in the Persian Gulf but switched to the military reserves after he and wife Debra had kids, including a special-needs son. Police said he was shot protecting students.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Martin was "a very funny kid, outgoing and sometimes really quiet," his brother Miguel shared on a GoFundMe page set up to help the family cover funeral expenses. Miguel had chronicled his family's hours-long search for Martin on Instagram before confirming his death.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School freshman color-guard member and talented artist "was a smart, loving, caring and strong girl who brightened any room she entered," her mother, Jennifer, wrote on Facebook. A classmate, Lauren Hogg, said, "I have never seen her when she wasn't smiling, and when she walked into the room, she was kind of like a firecracker. Everybody would see her and be happy."

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Peter died wearing his JROTC uniform while holding a door open to let other Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students escape from the building ahead of him, a friend told Wang's cousin Lin Chen. "He is so brave," Chen said.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Nicknamed "Guac," the popular Joaquin became a naturalized citizen last year but still rooted for the national soccer team in his native Venezuela, as well as for his buddies who played football and basketball for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, said friend David Daboin. "He'd go to the games and cheer them on. He was a hype man. His personality could not be matched."

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The beach lover "always had a smile on her face," according to a Facebook post from Drake School of Irish Dance in South Florida, where Cara took classes. "We are absolutely gutted," her aunt Lindsay Fontana wrote on Facebook.

A passionate dancer and dog lover whose favorite color was orange, Jaime dreamed of marrying at age 25 and working as an occupational therapist. An English test on To Kill a Mockingbird had her stressed the day before the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, but "she was such a sweet character and always, like, giggling in the class," said classmate Lauren Hogg.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The geography teacher and cross-country running coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is credited with saving students' lives before he was shot. At his memorial service his fiancée, Gwen Gossler, recalled watching a news report on a previous school shooting when Beigel had said, "Promise me if this ever happens to me, you will tell them the truth—tell them what a jerk I am. Don't talk about the hero stuff." "Okay, Scott," she said.

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: Despite an outward reserve, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School junior "was so brilliant and witty," with "relentless motivation" focused on her academic success, a relative, Curtis Page Jr., posted on Facebook. "She was deeply loved and loved others even more so…. Her soft warm demeanor brought the best out in all who knew her."

Parkland, Fla., Feb. 14: The competitive midfielder who wore No. 8 on her jersey for Parkland Soccer Club played "the best game of her life" the day before the shooting, her mother, Lori Alhadeff, told The New York Times. Alyssa was "so smart, an incredible creative writer, and all she had to offer the world was love," Lori wrote on Facebook.

Santa Fe, Texas, May 18: Jared had turned 17 just two days before a shooter killed 10 people at his Sante Fe High School — and was looking forward to a weekend pool party to celebrate the birthday. A game fan who loved to play Minecraft and Pokémon Go, he was also an art enthusiast who filled his Facebook page with vibrant cartoon drawings, and was killed in his favorite class, first-period art.

Santa Fe, Texas, May 18: The Santa Fe High School freshman, known as "Kyle," had a generous nature that was "so sweet, so considerate," a former tennis partner, Cassandra Garza, 16, told The New York Times. "He was just so funny, so friendly," said another friend, Morgan Rowe.

Santa Fe, Texas, May 18: A devoted big sister to little brother Amadeus, Angelique was "a kind, compassionate and caring individual," wrote family friend Rebecca Ruiz in a GoFundMe post. "In losing Angelique, her friends and family lost so much."

Santa Fe, Texas, May 18: "Shy and sweet," Shana was devoted to her dog Kallie and "had a lot of love in her heart," her mother, Sadie Baze, told the Houston Chronicle. Shana's aunt Ericha Fisher Farris wrote on Facebook: "She should be worrying about getting her driver's license, making plans for summer break, maybe start thinking junior year and making plans for college and what she wants to be when she grows up. She should be at home rolling her eyes from fighting with her little sister."

Santa Fe, Texas, May 18: Known as Ann, the grandmother and substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School regularly marched with the all-female Tutu Live Krewe during Galveston's Mardi Gras celebration. In a statement her family encouraged those hurting after the school shooting to talk with friends and counselors "to successfully conquer this tragedy. Ann would want the students and faculty … to whom she lovingly dedicated so much of her time, to remember to keep their hearts open."

After her husband of 46 years, Rev. William Recie Tisdale, was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease, the grandmother and teacher's aide took a second job as a restaurant server to help make ends meet and "never complained," her brother-in-law John Tisdale wrote on Facebook. He also shared the note Cynthia left for her husband, telling him she loved him before leaving that fateful day.

People

Students, Teachers, Churchgoers, Journalists: The 56 Lives Lost in 5 Mass Shootings in 2018

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Jan 3

From symbols of determination and hope to examples of tragedy and turmoil, these photographs left an indelible mark on 2018

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's riveting testimony on Sept. 27 to the Senate Judiciary Committee about an alleged teenage sexual assault by Judge Brett Kavanaugh created a lasting image for the #MeToo movement. But it did not derail the nomination of Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A memorial drew mourners outside the Tree of Life synagogue. Eleven worshippers, ranging in age from 54 to 97, died on Oct. 27 after a gunman shattered a quiet Saturday morning by entering the building and shouting anti-Jewish rants as he fired three handguns and an AR-15 assault rifle.

The U.S. Women's hockey team shocked the nation when it beat Canada in a shootout, taking home the gold medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. Jocelyne Lamoureaux of the U.S. is seen just before scoring the winning goal against Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados on Feb. 22.

On Nov. 8 the worst wildfire in U.S. history swept through the Northern California town of Paradise in a matter of hours, forcing a mass evacuation and decimating nearly 14,000 homes. As of press time 88 people were confirmed dead from the blazes and nearly 25 were still missing.

Philadelphia Eagles player Vinny Curry sits in shock after the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 at Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4. Though the Eagles have played in the Super Bowl three times, this was their first time taking home the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Justify, a 3-year-old colt, won racing's 13th Triple Crown and, because of an ankle problem, promptly retired. Mike Smith, who, at 52, became the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, called the horse "a gift from God."

Standing silent for much of 6 minutes and 20 seconds — the time it took a shooter to kill 17 of her classmates and staff members in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14 — Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Emma Gonzalez transfixed the nation during the student-led March for Our Lives on March 24.

After a 15-month gestation period second-time mom Arusha gave birth to a healthy Rothschild giraffe calf at the West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire on Oct. 3. The park's newest addition — one of the rarest subspecies of giraffes in the world — was 6-ft.

Tear gas led Maria Meza, a 40-year-old migrant woman from Honduras, to grab her 5-year-old twin girls Saira and Cheili and frantically turn away from the wall that divides the U.S. and Mexico on Nov. 25. "I was scared, and I thought I was going to die with them because of the gas," Meza told Reuters.

Two-year-old Parker Curry's amazement at the official portrait of Michelle Obama by artist Amy Sherald, unveiled Feb. 12 at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, not only went viral but also caught the attention of the former First Lady, who tweeted: "Keep on dreaming big for yourself … and maybe one day I'll proudly look up at a portrait of you!"

Close contests in midterm voting delayed results in several states including Georgia, where voters cast ballots Nov. 6 at an Atlanta precinct (right), and Florida, where the pace of counting echoed the 2000 presidential election that hung on ballot chads and dragged on for weeks.

On July 2, 12 boys and their soccer coach were discovered alive, 10 days after floodwaters unexpectedly trapped them on a cave exploration. The world held its breath for their safe return above ground — the team were with little or no food and had diminishing fresh air.

Just moments after street artist Banksy's 2006 Girl with Balloon sold at auction for $1.4 million, the stencil spray-painting started shredding itself in its frame, shocking a crowd of wealthy art buyers. "It appears we just got Banksy-ed," noted Alex Branczik, senior director for Sotheby's on the auction-house website.

People

2018: The Year in Photos

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Dec 26

JANUARY – President Trump signs a hat after delivering his first State of the Union address to Congress.

FEBRUARY – Holding notes, President Trump listens to high school students, their parents and teachers talk about gun violence. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

MARCH – President Trump and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman meet in the Oval Office.

APRIL – President Trump hosts French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House.

MAY – The President and First Lady announce the latter's "Be Best" initiative.

JUNE – President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un shake hands at the summit in Singapore. Kevin Lim/THE STRAITS TIMES/Handout/Getty Images

JULY – President Trump shakes hands with his nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

AUGUST – President Trump colors with children at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio.

SEPTEMBER – President Trump hands out food in New Bern, North Carolina, after the devastating Hurricane Florence.

OCTOBER – The President and First Lady pay their respects to the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

NOVEMBER – President Trump visits California after deadly wildfires engulf the state.

DECEMBER – President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pay their respects to former president George H. W. Bush in the United States Capitol. Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images

Politico

The 12 Days of Donald Trump, in Photos

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Dec 25

President Donald Trump holds up an executive order he signed to end family separations, during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Looking on is Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, left.

President Donald Trump talks with Judge Brett Kavanaugh his Supreme Court nominee, and his family in the East Room of the White House, Monday, July 9, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump stands in the rain with members of Bikers for Trump and supported after saying the Pledge of Allegiance, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump and Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt view air assault exercises at Fort Drum, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, before a signing ceremony for a $716 billion defense policy bill named for Sen. John McCain. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, left, hand out food at Temple Baptist Church, where food and other supplies are being distributed during Hurricane Florence recovery efforts, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, in New Bern, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Donald Trump holds his notes while hosting a listening session with students survivors of mass shootings, their parents and teachers in the State Dining Room at the White House February 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump is hosting the session in the wake of last week's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 students and teachers dead.

President Trump holds his executive order to end family separations, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, on June 20.

Trump shares a moment with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, his Supreme Court nominee, and his family at the White House on July 9.

Trump with members of Bikers for Trump at the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club on Aug. 11.

Trump and Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt view air assault exercises at Fort Drum, New York on Aug. 13 before a signing ceremony for a $716 billion defense policy bill named for Sen. John McCain.

Trump hands out food during Hurricane Florence recovery efforts on Sept. 19 in New Bern, North Carolina.

Trump shows a chart highlighting arms sales to Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office on March 20.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Dec. 11.

President Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House with his grandchildren on March 3.

President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address on Jan. 30.

Trump holds a listening session with student survivors of mass shootings, their parents and teachers at the White House on February 21.

Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for the second year on February 23.

Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, President Trump and First Lady Melania attend a service for the late evangelist Billy Graham on February 28.

President Trump, Melania, and French President Emmanuel Macron in a tree-planting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 23.

French President Emmanuel Macron and President Trump walk to the Oval Office on April 24.

Trump is surrounded by the children of members of the media and White House staff during Take Your Child To Work Day on April 26.

Trump holds a proclamation for "National Be Best Day" with Melania at the White House on May 7.

Trump waves as he arrives to address the 37th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the US Capitol on May 15.

Trump acknowledges the audience during a rally at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on May 29.

Buzzfeed

Dramatic, Historic, And Surreal Photos Of Trump From 2018

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Dec 20

Pro Football Talk

Robert Kraft visits Tree of Life Synagogue

On Sunday, the Patriots play the Steelers in Pittsburgh. A day earlier, Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited the site of a mass shooting in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

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Dec 16