Prosecutors will seek death penalty for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

Robert Bowers allegedly went into the Pittsburgh house of worship and using an AR-15 rifle, opened fire on Saturday morning, Aug. 27.

Police say he expressed hatred of Jews during and after what was the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will seek the death penalty against Bowers.

The government filing says justification for a death sentence includes allegations of substantial planning and premeditation, the vulnerability and number of victims, and a motivation of religious hostility.

Just last week, members of one of the Jewish congregations that used Tree of Life asked prosecutors to reject the death penalty and seek a plea deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.