The Debrief with Jon Becker, the acclaimed podcast exploring the realities of tactical operations and crisis response, has released its first documentary film. The film premiered August 26, 2025, at the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Conference in Washington, DC, and is now streaming exclusively on the show’s YouTube channel.

The documentary examines the October 27, 2018, attack on Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue—the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in U.S. history. Unlike the podcast’s interview-driven format, this narrative-style production immerses viewers in the chaos of the firefight and the resilience of those who endured it. Told through the words of a dozen survivors, police officers, and SWAT operators, the film delivers an unfiltered and emotional account of that tragic morning.

For the first time, many of the first responders who engaged the gunman share their stories, having been under a five-year gag order. Their testimonies highlight the courage, split-second decisions, and human cost of stopping a determined attacker. Notably, the film avoids naming or focusing on the perpetrator—deliberately shifting attention to the victims and the responders whose actions prevented further loss of life.

“This film isn’t about the killer, his motives, or politics—it’s about the heroes who stopped him,” said Jon Becker, host of The Debrief and producer of the film. “We want the victims remembered and the attacker forgotten.”

The documentary is available now at @thedebriefwithjonbecker.

Image courtesy of The Debrief with Jon Becker.

Tweet