'I was just breaking down, I couldn't hold it': Worker inside synagogue recounts shooting

PITTSBURGH — A man who works at the Tree of Life Synagogue said today is far worse as he starts to see the magnitude of those lost.

Channel 11 spoke with Augie Siriano, a custodian, who was in the building when the attack was carried out.

PHOTOS: Victims of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue

“I will always remember the sounds going through the building and smelling the gun powder,” Siriano told Channel 11 Morning Anchor Katherine Amenta.

Siriano said he heard the sound of gunfire and ran into the sanctuary. There, he found a man face down who was bleeding. He then ran to the front door where he was met by police.

“I identified myself... and I got down on my knees and put my hands up over my head,” he said.

Siriano was able to run to a dry cleaner for refuge. They gave him a coat to keep him warm.

Yesterday I interviewed Augie Siriano, a custodian who escaped the shooting at "Tree of Life". I can't believe what this poor man went through. You'll hear him tell his story, next at 4:55am on #wpxi pic.twitter.com/hfOV8Jdidq
— Katherine Amenta (@kamenta) October 29, 2018

He told Amenta he was overwhelmed by emotion Sunday as the names of the victims were released.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the victims and those affected by the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. CLICK HERE to donate.

He said treated David and Cecil Rosenthal like they were his brothers. He regularly tied Cecil’s shoes for him. Bernice and Sylvian Simon he considered his friends.

“They were like regulars. They would come every Saturday. they were just the nicest people,” he said.

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