Survivor of 2018 Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Testifies in Trial of Alleged Gunman Robert Bowers

A survivor of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue massacre testified Wednesday in the trial of Robert Bowers, the 50-year-old truck driver charged with 63 criminal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and the obstruction of the free exercise of religion.

Andrea Wedner, the government’s last witness, described the horrific scene she witnessed when Bowers burst into the Tree of Life synagogue building with a military-style rifle and other weaponry and opened fire, shooting anyone he could find. Wedner said she saw her right arm “get blown open in two places” by the gunman and cried “Mommy” after realizing her 97-year-old mother had been shot and killed by her side.

Bowers killed 11 worshippers and injured seven other people, including five police officers, in the attack. Wedner was one of three survivors of the massacre, which was the deadliest attack on Jewish people in the United States.

The prosecution rested its case Wednesday after Wedner’s testimony. The defense is expected to begin its case Thursday. Bowers faces the death penalty if convicted.