Pittsburgh synagogue shooter found guilty for 2018 mass killing, could face death penalty

A Pennsylvania man was found guilty Friday on federal charges for killing 11 people and injuring seven others at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. 

This verdict makes him eligible for the death penalty. According to authorities, this was one of the most deadly antisemitic attacks in U.S. history. 

50-year-old Robert G. Bowers was convicted by a 12 member jury after hearing from witnesses, The Associated Press reports. 

He was convicted on 63 charges, including 11 counts of hate crimes that resulted in death.

Those who testified included police officers and survivors. 

According to authorities, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The next phase of the trial could last for six weeks. 

During opening statements, defense attorney Judy Clarke admitted that Bowers was the shooter who "shot every person he saw ... and injured first responders who came to their rescue."

"There will be no question that this was a planned act and that he killed 11 people," she said. 

Bowers requested the death penalty not be an option for him, but that request was turned down by prosecutors.