San Diego synagogue shooting: Woman killed after 'teenager opens fire' on worshippers celebrating Passover
A man opened fire a synagogue in the city of Poway, just outside San Diego, leaving one woman dead and three other people injured, authorities in southern California have said.
The shooting began at the Chabad of Poway synagogue just before 11.30am on Saturday. County sheriff William Gore said a white man had opened fire on worshippers with an AR-type assault weapon.
San Diego Police chief David Nisleit said the 19-year-old suspect called police to report the shooting, and was subsequently arrested by a California Highway Patrol officer. Mr Nisleit said the suspect got out of his car with his hands up and was taken into custody without incident.
Mr Gore confirmed a woman died from her injuries, while a girl and two men are in hospital in a stable condition.
He said an off-duty Border Patrol agent believed to be inside the synagogue at the time shot at the suspect as he fled. The sheriff said the agent did not hit him, but struck his car.
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, the man conducting the Passover service, was among those shot and suffered hand injuries, a witness told ABC affiliate KGTV.
Mayor of Poway Steve Vaus also said the rabbi had been shot in the hand. Aside from the person who died, the mayor said “my understanding is none of the other injuries were life threatening”.
“We are grateful to those in the congregation there that engaged the shooter and prevented this from being a much more horrific incident,” he added said.
Derryl Acosta, a spokesman for Palomar Health Medical Center Hospital, said four patients had been admitted around 12.30pm on Saturday.
Children were among the injured being treated at the Palomar Medical Centre, local media reported.
The Chabad of Poway was worshipping on the last day of Passover, exactly six months since a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue killed 11 people.
Hate has no place in ANY community... least of all Poway. We will put our arms around each other and walk through this tragedy as the family we have always been and always will be. #PowayStrong
— Steve Vaus (@SteveVaus)
The shooting came exactly six months since a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue killed 11 people. A truck driver who authorities said expressed hatred of Jews has been charged in the deadliest attack on Jews in US history.
He has pleaded not guilty to the 27 October rampage at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Passover, otherwise known as Pesach in Hebrew, is regarded as one of the most important festivals in Judaism, celebrating the liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Traditionally observed for eight days, it ends this year on the evening of Saturday 27 April with a final Passover meal.
Additional reporting by agencies
