RRT chaplains comfort Pittsburgh community after synagogue shooting

The U.S.-based Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) is ministering in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a gunman shot more than a dozen people at the Tree of Life Synagogue this past weekend. News reports say the shooter walked into a Saturday morning service and opened fire on the Jewish congregants.

Eleven people were killed and multiple others were injured, according to the most recent news reports. Those injured included four law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. After surrendering, the suspect was taken to the nearby Mercy Hospital with injuries.

“We’ve had a tragedy here today,” Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said at a press conference. “The scene is very bad inside.”

The RRT has responded to offer comfort and support in Squirrel Hill, the east Pittsburgh neighborhood where the synagogue is located. Crisis-trained chaplains arrived in the area the day of the shooting to assess how they can assist the hurting community.

“The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is standing by to offer spiritual and emotional care to those impacted by the tragic shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh today,” Josh Holland, assistant RRT director, said. “We are fervently praying for those who are grieving from this senseless act of violence.”

The morning of the shooting, Franklin Graham encouraged his Facebook followers “to pray for the victims of this hate crime and for the loved ones of those who were killed.”

Please join us in praying for the Pittsburgh community and for the families affected by this shooting.

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