Youngstown Area Jewish Federation CEO, Andrew Lipkin and Executive Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs, Bonnie Burdman have issued a statement on the verdict in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.

The joint statement expressed gratitude and support for the verdict, in which the jury found Robert Bowers guilty of all 63 criminal counts he faced. According to the Associated Press, Bowers could possibly face the death penalty.

The full statement reads as follows:

"The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial has been difficult for the families of victims and the Jewish and general communities. However, we are thankful to learn of the guilty verdict, and know justice will be served as the judicial process continues."

"The synagogue should have been a sanctuary for the three congregations that worshiped there. The congregants should have been safe to pray and worship, yet 11 were murdered that day and countless others had their lives changed forever."

"Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil and David Rosenthal, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger will never be forgotten. We will honor their memories at a service Oct. 26 at Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom. Oct. 27 marks five years since the massacre."

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