A close knit Jewish community in Pittsburgh has been rocked after a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue, wounding six and killing 11 people early Saturday morning.
Drew Barkley serves as the executive director at Temple Sinai, a nearby temple in Squirrel Hill. He said the small town is reeling but coming together in the aftermath of the shooting.
“Pittsburgh is the city of neighborhoods,” Barkley tells TIME. “It flies very under the radar nationally but it’s an amazing community and we’ve already starting to pull together. There’s a very strong, collaborative interfaith presence here and there is a vigil tonight and I assume there will be people from all walks.”
Vincent Kolb, pastor at Sixth Presbyterian, organized the interfaith vigil for 6 p.m tonight at Sixth Presbyterian in Squirrel Hill.
“The neighborhood is heartbroken,” Kolb tells TIME. “This neighborhood is also one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in the U.S. and as a Christian community we are standing in solidarity with our Jewish friends and family who, too often, are the victims of violence and hate speech.”
He said the general mood is one of shock as details continue to be released about victims.
“I don’t even believe that all of the families have been notified of the dead and I know that there are still some that are in urgent medical crisis being treated, so shock is what my Jewish colleagues are saying at this point.” Kolb said.
Barkley also said that the community is shaken by this morning’s shooting.
“Right now people are in shock because this is a city where you can walk just about anywhere, anytime of day and feel safe,” Barkley said. “My wife asked me today ‘what happened to our Pittsburgh?’ but it’s already starting to come together.”
Barkley said, in a show of support, his temple has decided to go forward and hold their regular Sunday Hebrew school.
“I spent a good part of the afternoon hiring armed security to be there. We’re not going to be deterred,” Barkley said. “The sad part is that people are waiting to find out who the dead are because it’s such a close knit community there’s like one degree of separation and chances are everyone will know at least one person who died.”
Barkley said he believes a bris service was being held at the time of the shooting — a ceremony held on the the eighth day of a baby’s life that includes a ceremonial circumcision or baby naming and blessing, depending on the gender of the baby.
“One way or another there was a young family there with probably an 8-day-old or young infant there for what was supposed to be a very happy event.” he said.
