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Pittsburgh synagogue: Violence ‘must end. Enough is enough!’

The Pittsburgh synagogue that six months ago was the site of the deadliest U.S. attack on Jews is offering its sympathy to the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego

FILE--This file photo from Feb. 11, 2019 shows a temporary barrier around the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed and seven others injured during an attack on in October of 2018. The synagogue is inviting young people worldwide to submit artwork in an art project called "#HeartsTogether: The Art of Rebuilding." to cover adjacent fencing that surrounds the still-shuttered building. They are looking for "original, uplifting images and graphics" to be printed on windscreens that will cover the temporary perimeter fencing. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
FILE--This file photo from Feb. 11, 2019 shows a temporary barrier around the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed and seven others injured during an attack on in October of 2018. The synagogue is inviting young people worldwide to submit artwork in an art project called "#HeartsTogether: The Art of Rebuilding." to cover adjacent fencing that surrounds the still-shuttered building. They are looking for "original, uplifting images and graphics" to be printed on windscreens that will cover the temporary perimeter fencing. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)Read moreKeith Srakocic / AP
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh synagogue that six months ago was the site of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history offered its sympathy after another deadly shooting Saturday at a synagogue near San Diego, saying such violence "must end."

"It was only six months ago to the day that we became members of that tragic club of community-based shootings to which no one wants to belong," read the statement from Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue.

"We know first-hand the fear, anguish and healing process such an atrocity causes, and our hearts are with the afflicted San Diego families and their congregation. We will not give in to H(asterisk)," the statement read.

"We send our love and prayers to the Chabbad families," it continued. "These senseless acts of violence and prejudice must end. Enough is enough!"

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's Public Safety Department said it was monitoring the situation and would increase security as necessary. It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and alert emergency officials if they saw anything suspicious.

"We understand this heartache all too well," Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said in a news release. "Our thoughts are with those in the San Diego area, and our actions locally are and will continue to be focused on keeping everyone safe."

Authorities say John Earnest, 19, opened fire inside the Chabad of Poway synagogue Saturday as worshippers celebrated the last day of Passover, killing a woman and wounding the rabbi and two other people.

A person identifying themselves John Earnest posted an anti-Jewish screed online about an hour before the attack and cited the suspects accused of carrying out deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand last month and at Tree of Life.

Eleven people died and seven were wounded in the shooting at Tree of Life on Oct. 27. Truck driver Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, pleaded not guilty to carrying out the attack, during which authorities say he expressed hatred of Jews.