EL CAJON, Calif. — The man accused of killing an El Cajon dentist and injuring two others pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Tuesday.
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, is charged with one count of murder and two counts of pre-meditated attempted murder charges related to the February 29 shooting at Smile Plus Dentistry in El Cajon.
"The defendant was known to the dentist's office. He had been a prior patient. He had consistently over months been dissatisfied and gone in repeatedly to that dentist's office, such that his behavior was erratic and they were afraid of him," said Prosecutor John Philpott.
Philpott shared new details about the shooting, which killed 28-year-old dentist Benjamin Harouni and injured two of his co-workers.
Philpott said Abdulkareem legally bought a firearm just five days before he burst into the dental office and began firing immediately without saying a word.
Abdulkareem allegedly fired 23 rounds in less than a minute.
"An office manager was hit multiple times in the hand elbow and torso, a female employee was hit in one leg, the bullet traveled through that leg and into another leg and the dentist who was working at that office was then fatally shot multiple times in the torso, some of which appeared to happen when he was hiding behind a closed door," said Philpott.
Harouni's loved ones quietly wept as they learned about the allegations. Outside the courtroom, his mom said her world had been turned upside down.
“The loss is something I cannot explain. It truly feels like there is a hole in my heart and it's bleeding,” said Hilda Harouni.
Harouni described her son as smart and generous, saying his goal in life was to help people.
"I just want justice for my son. I want justice being served for losing this angel from our world," said Harouni.
Harouni's father, who also worked as a dentist in the same office, but was not there that day, shared the same sentiment, saying while a motive is still unknown, the act itself was senseless.
“He was just an amazing young man with tremendous potential to help others and his life was cut short by a brutal, extreme, violent act,” said Jack Harouni.
The prosecution says at this point, there is no indication race or politics played a role in the shooting, but it's still under investigation.
Abdulkareem is being held without bail and faces life in prison if convicted. Abdulkareem is scheduled to appear in court on March 12.
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