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Local Jewish leaders react to synagogue shooting

Posted at 10:05 AM, Oct 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-28 14:08:15-04

The shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is believed to be the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the US, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The death toll now stands at 11.

KGUN 9 spoke to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) CEO about local safety concerns.

"Its just so upsetting that people went to be with family, to have a celebration," said Todd Rockoff, CEO of the Tucson JCC. "And to have that interrupted by whatever the cause of this is just tragic and upsetting and unsettling."

The Tucson JCC is reevaluating its own security. While there is no direct threat to Tucson, The JCC dealt with Anti-Semitic threats last year.

"We have a very good security plan in place. And today we spoke with local and national authorities and, while there's no specific threat we're concerned about directly today, we've certainly stepped up our own security protocol," said Rockoff.

Rockoff says he's pleased with how the Tucson Police Department responds to the JCC's concerns.

"They're doing some additional patrols and having an additional presence here and in other Jewish sites around Tucson, so we're grateful for our partnership with Tucson Police," said Rockoff.

Federal prosecutors have filed hate crime charges against Robert Bowers, 46, who police say stormed into the Tree of Life Synagogue Saturday.

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