Armenia PM offers condolences over Pittsburgh mass shooting

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Priem Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a telegram of condolences to U.S. President Donald Trump over the tragedy in a Pittsburgh synagogue, which left 11 people dead and six others wounded. The condolence message reads, in part:

“We learned with deep sorrow about the attack that killed over a dozen innocent people in a Pittsburgh synagogue, Pashinyan said in his message.

"We strongly condemn this appalling manifestation of violence and intolerance and express our solidarity with the calls for a common struggle against xenophobia in the world.

"On behalf of the people of Armenia and myself, I express deepest condolences to you and to the people of the United States. Please convey words of comfort and endurance to the families of those killed and injured.”

U.S. authorities on Sunday identified the 11 victims they allege he gunned down inside Tree of Life synagogue. The dead included a 97-year-old woman, a husband and wife, and two brothers, all of whom were at Saturday-morning services when the gunman, Robert Bowers, burst through an open door with three pistols and an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and began shooting, authorities said, according to the Washington Post.

Bowers, 46, is expected to appear in court Monday. He faces at least 23 state charges, including homicide, attempted homicide and aggravated assault against police officers. He faces an additional 29 federal charges accusing him of civil rights and hate crimes.

Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania have asked the Justice Department for approval to seek the death penalty, a decision that ultimately will rest with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a department spokesman said Sunday.