EL CAJON, Calif. — The man arrested as the main suspect in a shooting that killed one and injured two others Thursday in an El Cajon dental office was identified as a former patient by El Cajon Police.
Rabbi Zalman Carlebach of The Chabad of Downtown San Diego confirmed to CBS 8 that Dr. Benjamin Harouni is a member of their congregation and died in Thursday's shooting. El Cajon Police had not yet released the names of the victims.
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, was arrested Thursday evening after a search led police to find Abdulkareem and the U-Haul pickup truck later that evening near 6th Ave and Quince St. in San Diego.
El Cajon Police responded to the shooting at a Smile Plus Dentistry office at 480 North Magnolia Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday where they found three gunshot victims, two adult males and one adult female. Despite lifesaving efforts by responding officers, one of the males succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The two other victims were transported to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
El Cajon Police released a statement on social media that says in part quote: " While we are still in the early stages of the investigation, we want to make it clear that there is no indication the attack was racially or politically motivated."
Witnesses reported that the suspect fled in a white U-Haul pickup truck. El Cajon Police utilized the City's Flock license plate reader system and were able to obtain a license plate and photograph of the U-Haul truck. National City is one of several cities in the county including Chula Vista, National City, San Diego and recently La Mesa using the license plate reader technology.
The photo of the truck and license plate information were quickly sent out to the public and assisted in locating Abdulkareem according to the police.
Shortly after 9 p.m., the San Diego Police Department received a tip from a citizen that they believed the U-Haul truck involved in the shooting was parked near 6th Avenue and Quince Street in San Diego. Officers found the truck and located Abdulkareem nearby and took him into custody without incident.
Abdulkareem was found to be armed with a loaded handgun and several loaded handgun magazines. Records checks on the handgun later showed that it was legally purchased by Abdulkareem, just 2 weeks before the shooting.
Abdulkareem has since been booked into San Diego County Central Jail on multiple felony charges, including one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Further investigation into the incident may reveal additional felony charges.
El Cajon Police Department Chief of Police Mike Moulton released this statement:
"The El Cajon Police Department mourns with the family and friends of the deceased victim and extends heartfelt condolences to those injured in yesterday's senseless and evil act of violence.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our local, state, and national law enforcement partners who assisted us during this tragic event.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Diego Field Office, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy, provided a tremendous amount of support during the investigation and processing of the crime scene.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshall’s Service Fugitive Task Force, La Mesa Police Department, San Diego County District Attorney’s office, ATF San Diego, and San Diego Police Department provided invaluable assistance in the initial response and subsequent investigation.”
El Cajon Police released a statement on social media that says in part quote: While we are still in the early stages of the investigation, we want to make it clear that there is no indication the attack was racially or politically motivated.
Rabbi Carlebach of Chabad of Downtown San Diego issued this statement to CBS 8:
"The San Diego Jewish community lost a precious soul yesterday.
Dr. Benjamin Harouni was brutally & tragically murdered at his dental office by a senseless man. Benjamin was a beautiful, kind, and caring young man, who had his entire life ahead of him.
His parents, Jack and Hilda Harouni moved to San Diego from Sacramento and built up Smile Plus dental centers multiple locations and dedicated their expertise to help others. Benjamin recently graduated dental school and joined the family practice at Smile Plus' El Cajon office.
The Harounis are a kind and generous family that have been active members at Chabad of Downtown and have contributed to many Jewish causes over the years.
Please do positive acts of kindness and spread peace to fill the world with much needed light in memory of Benjamin. May G-d comfort his parents, brothers, extended family, and the entire Jewish community."
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (888)-580-8477 or online at sdcrimestoppers.org.
WATCH: El Cajon shooting suspect taken into custody