Corey O’Connor, a son of Squirrel Hill, had written something to read out loud.
He didn’t need it.
At times overcome with emotion, the Pittsburgh councilman commanded the floor Tuesday with gratitude, sorrow and political resolve after a mass shooting in the neighborhood’s Tree of Life synagogue.
His aide Lynette Lederman, a former president at Tree of Life, sat beside him, placing a hand on Mr. O’Connor’s back as he fought for composure. Through tears, he said two of his cousins had been walking outside nearby when the shooter opened fire inside the synagogue.
Mrs. Lederman lost “a number of her friends, as we all did,” Mr. O’Connor said, speaking for several minutes without notes. It was council’s first meeting since the Saturday shooting, in which 11 people died.
Police confronted and shot suspected gunman Robert Bowers, who facing is 29 federal charges.
“Squirrel Hill will not be afraid of this. We will come out stronger. The City of Pittsburgh will come out stronger,” said Mr. O’Connor, who grew up in, and represents part of, the neighborhood.
“It’s just a day that you never think will happen but — in the times that we live — is happening way too often,” the councilman went on. “If this [violence] wasn’t stopped 15 years ago, it should have been. And we’re continuing to deal with this each and every day across this country, and nobody is helping us.”
Now it’s time for Pittsburgh to “take a stand,” partner with other cities and pursue legislation that addresses powerful firearms like the AR-15 fired inside Tree of Life, he said.
“I think we should call on other cities at the same time,” Mr. O’Connor said. “We will get sued. They will get sued.”
But “our community is here to fight” on the issue, he said. “I think our city, our nation — everybody is here to fight this. This has been way too long coming.”
As they left city hall before funeral services, Mr. O’Connor and Councilwoman Erika Strassburger said council members would talk later about possible next steps. Ms. Strassburger’s East End district includes Tree of Life.
“We will take action together when we can, and we will overcome this together,” she said in chambers.
Ms. Strassburger and other council members praised the response Saturday from police and other emergency officials, saying quick action prevented a horrific situation from turning even worse.
“This tragedy affects all of Pittsburgh. We are all hurting this week as one united city,” Ms. Strassburger said. “We are here for the families of the victims and will provide whatever support necessary to them not just now but in weeks and months to come.”
Mayor Bill Peduto is willing to weigh policy and legislative options with council when more time has passed, spokesman Timothy McNulty said. The mayor also was attending a funeral Tuesday.
Bruce Kraus, the council president, said the body has no gun-related proposals immediately on the table. “But I certainly would be happy to help and support” such an effort, he said.
He may delve next week into more details, such as what provisions may be available to the city, Mr. Kraus said.
In chambers, he read aloud the names of the deceased in Squirrel Hill. A list of them appeared at an entryway, along with black decoration on the doors.
“We will hold close in our hearts and in our prayers our neighbors still hospitalized, and share our gratitude for our selfless public safety first responders, who risk their lives daily to protect ours,” Mr. Kraus said in prepared remarks. “We can never repay the debt.”
Adam Smeltz: 412-263-2625, asmeltz@post-gazette.com, @asmeltz.
First Published: October 31, 2018, 12:31 a.m.
