A raw, unflinching documentary that tells the story of the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack through the eyes of the SWAT officers who responded and the victims they saved. For five years, these officers were under a federal gag order. Now, for the first time, they break their silence.
On October 27, 2018, an antisemitic gunman stormed the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood during Shabbat morning services. Armed with multiple firearms, he targeted congregants from three congregations — Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light — killing eleven people and wounding six others, including four responding officers, in the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.
Confronting Hate is not about the perpetrator, his motives, or the political views surrounding the incident. It is about the heroes who stopped him. For five years, the officers were under a gag order from the federal court while they were charging and trying the perpetrator, so the emotional trauma of the first responders was never talked about — until now.
The film features SWAT Officer Tim Matson, who was shot twelve times during the response, as well as survivors Dan Legard and Andrea Wender, whose lives were saved when officers charged into the synagogue under fire. Their firsthand accounts provide an unfiltered look at the challenges they faced and the lasting impact it had on all of them.
Beyond remembrance, Confronting Hate demands a conversation about how we treat those who protect us — and the cost of underinvesting in law enforcement, financially and in training.
Why We Made This Film
For five years, the officers who responded to the Tree of Life attack carried their trauma in silence—bound by a federal gag order while the case moved through the courts. The public heard about the trial. They heard about the verdict. But they never heard from the people who ran toward the gunfire.
When the gag order was lifted, Adam and I knew these stories needed to be told—not as a news report, but as a human document. Tim Matson was shot twelve times and kept fighting. Dan Legard and Andrea Wender survived because officers made decisions in seconds that most people never face in a lifetime. Their accounts deserve more than a headline. They deserve to be understood.
This film is our way of making sure they are.
Host a Screening
Confronting Hate is available for organizational screenings, educational events, and community forums. Jon is available for post-screening discussions and Q&A sessions.
Request a Screening