Pittsburgh teams and athletes reacted with sorrow Saturday following the shooting deaths of 11 people during a baby-naming ceremony at a city synagogue.
At least six others were wounded, including four police officers who dashed to the scene, authorities said. Police said a suspect was in custody after the attack at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
"We woke up to the terrible news this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and families affected by what happened this morning," Penguins star Sidney Crosby said from Vancouver, British Columbia, where the team is playing the Canucks. "Knowing Pittsburgh, I know we'll stick together and rally around them and be there to support and help in any way we can."
Meanwhile, prior to Saturday's game:
The Vancouver Canucks just held a moment of silence before tonight's matchup.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 28, 2018
We may be in Vancouver, but our hearts are always in Pittsburgh. 💛
A moment of silence was held before the start of Game 4 of the World Series in Los Angeles between the Dodgers and Red Sox.
A law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity identified the suspect as Robert Bowers and said he is in his 40s. Bob Jones, the special agent in charge of the FBI's office in Pittsburgh, said Bowers was not known to law enforcement and they believe he was acting alone. He said Bowers' full motive still isn't known.
"The victims of today's tragic events are in our thoughts and in our hearts. The people of Pittsburgh are standing together in love and support of our Squirrel Hill community," read a tweet from the feed of Pitt athletics. Before the Panthers' game against Duke at Heinz Field, a moment of silence was observed before the singing of the national anthem.
More reaction followed Saturday.
We send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by this morning's tragedy in Pittsburgh. We will continue to pray for everyone involved.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 27, 2018
Our hearts break at the news of this morning's tragedy in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this horrible event.
— Pirates (@Pirates) October 27, 2018
Prayers Up for Pittsburgh 🙏🏾
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) October 27, 2018
Praying for the congregations, the Pittsburgh communities, the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the first responders and our leadership, as they find a way to come together and hold each other up during the horrific event that took place at Tree of Life this morning.
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) October 27, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear the news of the shooting in Pittsburgh this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. Stay strong Pittsburgh.
— Justin Schultz (@6Schultz6) October 27, 2018
City officials said the shooting was being investigated as a federal hate crime.
Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.