On October 27, 2018, Irving Herbert Irv Younger, 69, was fatally shot during an attack at the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. A retired real estate company owner and regular greeter at the synagogue, Younger left the chapel with fellow congregant Cecil Rosenthal after hearing gunfire and encountered the shooter in the lower mezzanine, where he was killed. Reports say he cried out his friend’s name in his final moments. Ten other worshippers were also killed and several were wounded in what has been described as a hate-motivated massacre.

Law enforcement identified and apprehended 46-year-old Robert Bowers at the scene after a gun battle; he was wounded and taken into custody. Federal authorities brought numerous charges, including hate crimes resulting in death, and state charges of criminal homicide and ethnic intimidation were also filed. The federal trial resulted in convictions and a death sentence in August 2023.

If anyone knew Irving Younger or was at the synagogue that day and can add details about his life or those final moments, please share what you know.