Pittsburgh Tree of Life gunman found guilty of carrying out deadliest antisemitic shooting in US history

Jurors must now decide whether the 50-year-old should be sent to death row or sentenced to life in prison without parole as the federal trial shifts to a penalty phase expected to last several weeks.

It comes as a survivor of the deadly antisemitic attack told now her 97-year-old-mother had been shot and killed right next to her.

Andrea Wedner, the trial's last witness, told jurors she touched her mother's lifeless body and cried out, "Mommy," before SWAT officers led her to safety.

Wedner told a Pittsburgh court that she was shot in the arm and then realised her 97-year-old-mother had been shot and killed right next to her. 

In closing arguments on Thursday, prosecutor Mary Hahn also told the jury that Bowers targeted his victims because of their religion, noting his extensive online trail of antisemitic and white supremacist content. 

Bowers also told police at the scene that "all these Jews need to die", Hahn said. 

The defence argued that Bowers was not trying to stop people from practising their faith, an element of some of the crimes he is charged with. 

Elisa Long said Bowers instead acted out of a delusional belief that he had to attack congregants because of their support of a Jewish humanitarian group that resettles refugees, people he viewed as invaders.

Bowers had also extensively posted, shared or liked antisemitic content on Gab, a social media platform popular with the far right. He also praised Hitler and the Holocaust.