Synagogue shooting: Shock and confusion in Squirrel Hill

The FBI investigates after the shooting at Tree of Life Congregation in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. Photo / AP

The quiet central Pittsburgh neighbourhood of Squirrel Hill is home to one of the most concentrated Jewish communities in the US.

The tree-lined community - a historical religious safe haven - is usually busy with activities on the weekend, buzzing with pedestrians, baby strollers and dog walkers.

Yesterday, the streets were desolate.

Pittsburgh's oldest synagogue, the Tree of Life congregation, was struck by what the Anti-Defamation League called "likely the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States".

The synagogue's rich history dates to the late 1800s, according to Lynette Lederman, executive assistant to City Councilman Corey O'Connor and former president of the congregation.

Over the years, demographics have changed, but Pittsburgh's Jewish population continues to boom.

Half of them - just short of 50,000 people - live in Squirrel Hill, according to a recent study done by the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

"It's become one of the most diverse places in the country," O'Connor said.

"Now we're so infused by young families who want to live in neighbourhoods like Squirrel Hill . . . demographically we are very diverse, but traditions are held very closely."

The Tree of Life building houses three synagogues. There were three ongoing services when the gunman attacked.

By rare chance, Arnold Freedman, a 91-year-old psychologist and Tree of Life congregant, did not attend services yesterday. "The next thing I knew, I saw the whole street was filled with police cars. I didn't know what was going on..

"I'm just lucky that I'm okay. The full impact hasn't really hit me yet. Chances are, I know of some people who were there, who were possibly killed or injured."