Oakton Community College remembers victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
Oakton Community College's main campus in Des Plaines hosted a vigil Monday for the 11 Jewish worshippers who were shot to death in their Pittsburgh synagogue Oct. 27.
College President Joianne Smith spoke to the vigil attendees who honored those who were killed at Tree of Life synagogue. As part of Monday afternoon's vigil, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Mario Borha placed a stone on a victim's name, a nod to the Jewish tradition of placing stones on graves.
Robert Bowers, 46, described by authorities as anti-Semitic truck driver, has pleaded not guilty to murder, hate crimes, obstructing the practice of religion and other crimes stemming from the attack. Authorities said Bowers raged against Jews during and after the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.
Locally, the Pittsburgh slayings prompted police to increase their patrol presence near Jewish congregations in communities such as Long Grove, Lombard, Naperville and Elgin.