Trump Speaks With Rabbi Injured in Deadly California Synagogue Shooting
President Trump said Monday that he phoned to offer his condolences to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the deadly California synagogue shooting over the weekend.
A 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, was killed and three others injured, including Goldstein, at the Chabad of Poway synagogue when a young gunman opened fire inside during Passover service Saturday. Kaye took bullets for Goldstein, standing in front of him as he evacuated children from the synagogue, according to law enforcement.
I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019
“The President expressed his love for the Jewish people and the entire community of Poway. The President also thanked the brave members of law enforcement who acted swiftly, including the off duty border patrol agent who stopped the shooter,” read a statement from White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere.
Goldstein, who lost fingers in the shooting, thanked Trump for his call on Sunday, adding that the president spoke about his love of peace, Israel, and Judaism.
The president first condemned the attack on Saturday, saying the nation stands with the Jewish community.
“Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community,” Trump said at a Saturday campaign rally in Wisconsin. “We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated.”
A suspect, 19, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.
“Here is a young man with a rifle, pointing right at me. And I look at him. He has sunglasses on. I couldn’t see his eyes. I couldn’t see his soul. I froze,” Goldstein said at a press conference following the shooting. “Lori took the bullet for all of us, she died to protect all of us. She didn’t deserve to die.”
“One thing’s for sure. I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror,” he told NBC.
The attack was perpetrated by “someone with hate in their heart … towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand,” Mayor Steve Vaus of Poway, where the synagogue is located, told CNN.
A shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue last year killed 11 people.
