San Diego-area synagogue shooting leaves one worshipper dead, three wounded

By Bridget Clerkin

 

San Diego Police secure the scene of a shooting incident at the Congregation Chabad synagogue in Poway, north of San Diego, California, U.S. April 27, 2019. REUTERS/John Gastaldo

 

POWAY, Calif. (Reuters) - A gunman walked into a San Diego-area synagogue crowded with Sabbath worshippers on Saturday and opened fire with an assault-style rifle, killing one woman inside and wounding three others in a hate crime carried out on the last day of Passover, authorities said.

 

The suspect, a 19-year-old white male whose identity was not immediately made public, fled the scene by car and was arrested a short time later when he pulled over and surrendered to police, authorities said at a news conference.

 

The gun violence at the Congregation Chabad synagogue in the town of Poway, California, about 23 miles (37 km) north of downtown San Diego, unfolded six months to the day after 11 worshippers were killed and six others were wounded by a gunman who stormed a synagogue in Pittsburgh yelling, "All Jews must die." The assailant in that incident was arrested.

 

Saturday's Passover violence followed a recent spate of deadly attacks on houses of worship around the world. Suicide bombings during Easter Sunday services at several churches in Sri Lanka killed more than 250 people. Weeks earlier a gunman who opened fire at two mosques in New Zealand left 49 people dead and more than 40 wounded, some as they knelt in prayer.

 

Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, speaking from a police command centre, characterized Saturday's shooting as a "hate crime," saying his assessment was based on statements uttered by the gunman when he entered the synagogue.

 

Nothing else was disclosed about a possible motive. But San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said investigators were reviewing the suspect's social media posts and "his open letter," suggesting the gunman may have left some kind of written manifesto.

 

Speaking with reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "My deepest sympathies go to the people that were affected." He added that "it looks like a hate crime" and that authorities will "get to the bottom of it."

 

Gore told reporters that four people were struck by gunfire and taken to Palomar Medical Center, where one of the victims, an "older woman," died. The three other patients - "two adult males" and a "female juvenile" - were listed in stable condition, Gore said. The identities of the victims were not given.

 

PEACEFUL SURRENDER

 

The attack occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. in Poway, a suburb of about 50,000 residents, when the suspect walked into the synagogue and started shooting, Gore said. As he was making his getaway, an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent opened fire on the suspect, striking the vehicle but apparently missing the suspect, according to Gore.

 

The gunman was arrested a short time later when he peacefully surrendered to police.

 

A San Diego officer was en route to the shooting scene when he overheard a California Highway Patrol (CHP) radio dispatch "of a suspect who had called into CHP to report that he was just involved in this shooting and his location," San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit recounted.

 

"The officer was actually on the freeway and he clearly saw the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect pulled over and jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody," Nisleit said.

 

He said the assault-style rifle believed to be the murder weapon was found on the front passenger seat of the car.

 

Local television channel KGTV 10News said the synagogue was hosting a holiday celebration beginning at 11 a.m. and due to culminate in a final Passover meal at 7 p.m. Authorities said about 100 people were inside the temple, where Saturday services marking the Jewish Sabbath would have been under way or have just concluded.

 

San Diego television station KGTV reported a woman whose husband was still inside the synagogue as saying the rabbi was among those shot.

 

Minoo Anvari, an Iranian refugee who said her husband was attending services inside when gunshots rang out, told KUSI-TV the wounded included a female friend and the rabbi, who was shot in the hand. "We are united. You can't break us. We are in the U.S.," Anvari told KUSI.

 

A man who lives nearby, Christopher Folts, said on CNN he heard six to seven gunshots, then a man yelling, followed by six to seven more shots.

 

Cantor Caitlin Bromberg of Ner Tamid Synagogue, down the street from the shooting scene, said her congregation learnt of the shooting at the end of their Passover services and that they were heading to Chabad of Poway to show support and help.

 

"We are horrified and upset, and we want them to know we are thinking of them," Bromberg told The Los Angeles Times, adding that she has not heard from Chabad of Poway leadership because they would not normally use the phone during the Sabbath.

 

"They would only do that on emergency basis, if they do it at all," Bromberg told the newspaper.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-28

 

As I am sure many have started to note, I sadly fear that there's starting to be a copycat style of mass killings on ordinary people practicing their faith on their most holiest of days.  

 

There's long been religious animosity expressed by some, and there have been many pogroms (Jewish and others), "ethnic cleansing" and other such atrocities.  Yet, this sometimes amateurish, almost commando-style of such strikes publicized recently in the media (not saying it's their fault) may have embolden some on the cusp to commit such horrid crimes.  Or, at least, that's the way it has appeared in the media to me lately. 

 

Hopefully, a climate of more sanity will be a response to all of this. 

Edited April 27, 20197 yr by helpisgood
typos

A profane reply to a post has been removed:

 

8.) You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages, vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

 

God thease criminals who attack houses of worship are the lowest of the low we need unity not division 

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

 

 

An off topic post has been removed. 

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

 

 

Utterly disgraceful.

 

Let’s hear from the perpetrator himself what motivated this atrocity  rather than relying on the usual suspects assigning culpability with their usual biased views.

Edited April 28, 20197 yr by Chomper Higgot

Whilst the NYT cartoon was indeed a disgrace, I agree with Chomper (sometimes happens ????) that we should not try to fix logic or reasons to the actions of crazies. Let's just wait for what details unfold.

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

 

Well, Israel's government and a sizeable amount of its people are right wing racist lowlifes!

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

 

 

Yes, this from the past 'prestigious' NYT.   They used to be a 'pillar of journalism' and have now sunk to the gutter press - disgraceful and very disappointing!!

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Utterly disgraceful.

 

Let’s hear from the perpetrator himself what motivated this atrocity  rather than relying on the usual suspects assigning culpability with their usual biased views.

Can ANY 'motivation' be grounds to go into a peaceful place of worship (of ANY religion) and start shooting the congregants??    What are you talking about????

1 hour ago, Elfin said:

 

Well, Israel's government and a sizeable amount of its people are right wing racist lowlifes!

Even if true, does that give anyone the right to go into a place of worship and start shooting at the congregants???!!!

 

8 minutes ago, Greenhill said:

Can ANY 'motivation' be grounds to go into a peaceful place of worship (of ANY religion) and start shooting the congregants??    What are you talking about????

Grounds as in such acts being rational or justified, no. But terrorists, etc. do have motivations. The early signs on this guy are that he left a manifesto praising the massacre of Jews in Pittsburgh and Muslims in New Zealand. Which indicates his terrorism is not Islamist based. More likely white nationalist based terrorism. Not saying this determination is anywhere near definitive yet, as it isn't, but that is a strong early clue.

Edited April 28, 20197 yr by Jingthing

To those that insist on making anything about Jews anywhere about their obsession with Israel demonization, I saw a recent interesting survey about U.S. public opinion. Americans tend to like Israel but dislike Netanyahu. That includes most American Jews as well. I don't see any contradiction in that. Affection for a country does not need to include agreement with their political leadership. 

Edited April 28, 20197 yr by Jingthing

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

Please forgive, but I deleted the graphic as I found it repulsive. However, the exact same argument you make above can be applied to demonising Muslims which is why our security forces ask such commentary not be posted in Social Media.

 

The killer posted his manifesto online. A 19 year old self proclaimed White Supremacist who admires the killer in Christchurch, the Norwegian guy, Hitler etc. 

Edited April 28, 20197 yr by simple1

8 minutes ago, Greenhill said:

Even if true, does that give anyone the right to go into a place of worship and start shooting at the congregants???!!!

 

Of course not. It's sad you even need to ask that, but for some people in the world today, I guess you have to. Some people can rationalize the sickest of horrific crimes.

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?

 

You're right - I fully expect an armed mass-shooting as a response to people speaking and publishing cartoons.  What was I thinking; this is a perfectly balanced response!

per 2017 FBI stats on hate crimes, religious targets 58% of the time against Jews in US, where Jewish population is 1.4%. 18% against Muslims, who are 1.1% of population. Something worth remembering..... violent religious bigotry is real deal in USA

5 minutes ago, Emdog said:

per 2017 FBI stats on hate crimes, religious targets 58% of the time against Jews in US, where Jewish population is 1.4%. 18% against Muslims, who are 1.1% of population. Something worth remembering..... violent religious bigotry is real deal in USA

It is, and the way things are going synagogues in the U.S. are going to have to start to be protected like armed fortresses as has already happened in France. 

2 hours ago, Elfin said:

 

Well, Israel's government and a sizeable amount of its people are right wing racist lowlifes!

Would not just "right wing" have sufficed??

 

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It is, and the way things are going synagogues in the U.S. are going to have to start to be protected like armed fortresses as has already happened in France. 

I know of several synagogues who have hired security in Oz, the UK,it started several years ago in some communities

 

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

When you have leading Democratic candidates as Bernie Sanders labeling Israel as "right wing racist" and garbage caricature in the New york times where Israel PM and portrayed as dog and Trump a blind jewish needing a dog, what do you expect?...

 

 

 

 

Yes, these types of images are hugely damaging, look at this one from the Daily Mail, comparing the diaspora to rats.

 

 

58 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

To those that insist on making anything about Jews anywhere about their obsession with Israel demonization, I saw a recent interesting survey about U.S. public opinion. Americans tend to like Israel but dislike Netanyahu. That includes most American Jews as well. I don't see any contradiction in that. Affection for a country does not need to include agreement with their political leadership. 

True, and when you look at role Netanyahu had had over many decades, it is not surprising many dislike him and his party.

 

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It is, and the way things are going synagogues in the U.S. are going to have to start to be protected like armed fortresses as has already happened in France. 

Like  all  religions their gods  will protect them.

Edited April 28, 20197 yr by gunderhill

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It is, and the way things are going synagogues in the U.S. are going to have to start to be protected like armed fortresses as has already happened in France. 

 

Why aren't they protecting the schools like armed fortresses?  Haven't there been many more attacks on schools?

8 minutes ago, Kieran00001 said:

Yes, these types of images are hugely damaging, look at this one from the Daily Mail, comparing the diaspora to rats.

But at least they have the freedom to post it.

Irrespective of ones own personal political or religious opinions, other should be able to pursue and practice their faith or religion in peace and without fear of intimidation/injury or death.

I hold grave concerns for the safety of the younger generations if the current situation continues.

 

1 minute ago, RJRS1301 said:

should be able to pursue and practice their faith or religion in peace and without fear of intimidation/injury or death.

And  equally you should be able to comment on it in any way without that fear of intimidation or  death no  matter how  offensive some of those religions find it.

4 hours ago, Tug said:

God thease criminals who attack houses of worship are the lowest of the low we need unity not division 

Another good thing about living in wonderful Buddhist Thailand.

None of this Muslim vs Christian crap fighting over a god that doesn’t exist. 

The Thais are above it all.

 

The teachings of the Buddha make sense. The father Xmas, Easter bunny, Virgin Mary, Noah’s ark is all just nonsense.

 

The south problems are only about territory.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

To those that insist on making anything about Jews anywhere about their obsession with Israel demonization, I saw a recent interesting survey about U.S. public opinion. Americans tend to like Israel but dislike Netanyahu. That includes most American Jews as well. I don't see any contradiction in that. Affection for a country does not need to include agreement with their political leadership. 

 

Of course there is no contradiction in that, like there is no contradiction in being anti-Zionist and not being an anti-Semite, for instance.  However, there are some who will use any criticism of anything related to Israel as means to call the anti-Semite card,  Those people are also obsessive and demonizing, and both need calling out, the anti-Semites and those who use the term to shut down others rightful opinion.