Pittsburgh shooter to face charges carrying death penalty

The gunman who killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday will face federal charges that carry the death penalty, the US Justice Department said.

"Hatred and violence on the basis of religion can have no place in our society," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.

"These alleged crimes are reprehensible and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation. Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty."