Son of Tree of Life victims sues NRA, alleging ‘white supremacist’ conspiracies

PITTSBURGH — Marc Simon’s parents were killed in the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. He filed a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association, claiming the organization spread “white supremacist conspiracy theories” and radicalized accused shooter Robert Bowers.

According to our partners at TribLive.com, the lawsuit names the NRA, Colt’s Manufacturing, Bowers and the unnamed company that sold Bowers the AR-15 used in the attack as defendants.

“Bowers was not born fearing and hating Jews,” attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. “The gun lobby taught him to do that.”

The NRA and Colt could not be reached for comment.

Marc Simon’s parents, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, died in the attack along with nine other people in October 2018. They were attending a Shabbat morning service around 10 a.m. when Bowers allegedly burst into the Tree of Life sanctuary and opened fire. Police swarmed the area. In addition to the 11 people killed, six others, including four law enforcement officers, were injured.

When Bowers was being taken into custody, he allegedly made comments that he wanted all Jews to die and that they were committing genocide to his people, according to the criminal complaint.

Rabbi of Tree of Life often thinks about that terrible day

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