‘Terror Will Not Win,’ Says Rabbi Injured in Synagogue Shooting – The New York Times

Rabbi Goldstein and those injured were expected to recover but he said he will be scarred for life.

“I cannot erase the moment, and it is going to be embedded there forever,” he said.

After the gunman, identified by officials as John T. Earnest, 19, shot Rabbi Goldstein in his hand, he shot to death a woman the rabbi had known for 33 years and who had helped him build the synagogue.

Rabbi Goldstein said he immediately went into action.

“I turned around and I saw a group of children in the banquet hall, including my granddaughter, and I just ran, not even knowing that my fingers were blown off and curled all the kids together and got them outside and went into the sanctuary and got everyone out of the sanctuary to safety,” he said.

As they were waiting for the authorities to arrive, Rabbi Goldstein continued the sermon he had started inside the synagogue.

“I got up there and just spoke from my heart,” the rabbi said. “Just giving everyone the courage to know, it was just 70 years ago during the Holocaust we were gunned down like this, and I just want to let my fellow Americans know that we’re not going to let this happen.”

The authorities called the shooting a hate crime. The gunman was charged early on Sunday with one count of murder in the first degree and three counts of attempted murder. No bail was set.

“I’m just so heartbroken and saddened by the senseless killing,” Rabbi Goldstein said. “Everyone needs to be a hero and everyone needs to step up and do something in the face of terror,” he said.

He added: “I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror. Terror will not win.”