Gunman Kills 1, Wounds 3 in Passover Shooting

A suspect was detained near the crime scene
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 27, 2019 3:35 PM CDT
Several People Injured in Synagogue Shooting
Synagogue members console one another outside of the Chabad of Poway Synagogue Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Poway, Calif. Several people were injured in a shooting at the synagogue.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

A gunman opened fire in a California synagogue Saturday and took a woman's life in what authorities are calling a hate crime, the New York Times reports. The attacker—described as white, 19, and using an AR-style gun—also wounded three others, including the rabbi, who was shot in the hand at the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego. The gunman "was shooting at everybody and cursing," a congregant tells the San Diego-Union Tribune. An off-duty Border Patrol agent fired at the attacker's car as he fled, per the LA Times, and the suspect was apprehended soon after. A San Diego police K9 officer got him by pulling up beside his car, which was pulled over. "He jumped out of the car with his hands up," said San Diego police Chief David Nisleit.

Now officials are poring over the suspect's social media accounts and an "open letter" that may explain his motives. "It was a hate crime, and that will not stand," said Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, per USA Today. "This shooter was engaged by people in the congregation and those brave people certainly prevented this from being a much worse tragedy." President Trump agreed that it "looks like a hate crime. My deepest sympathies to all of those affected. And we'll get to the bottom of it." Apparently the gunman called 911 and confessed after the attack—while, back at the temple, the injured rabbi continued to address the congregation. It was the last day of Passover, when the Yizkor service is held to remember relatives who have died. (More synagogue shooting stories.)

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