OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:05 PM PT — Saturday, April 27, 2019
Authorities are providing an update on the deadly shooting at a San Diego synagogue where an elderly woman was killed and 3 others were injured.
San Diego County Sheriff William “Bill” Gore identified 19-year-old John Earnest as the suspected gunman who surrendered to police shortly after the incident unfolded on Saturday.
Gore says federal and state officials are investigating the shooting as a homicide, and are looking into possible hate-crime charges.
Update #7 @SDSheriff Bill Gore confirms the name of the shooting suspect as 19-year-old John Earnest (DOB 6/8/99). We didn't find any prior law enforcement contact with Earnest. We're looking into digital evidence and checking the authenticity of an online manifesto.
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) April 28, 2019
Authorities were first dispatched at 11:30 a.m. PST to the Chabad Synagogue of Poway, about 30 minutes north of San Diego, where Passover celebrations were taking place. Passover is considered one of the holiest holidays for those of the Jewish faith.
A manifesto reportedly belong to Earnest expressed antisemitic ideology, and stated the individual wasn’t inspired by President Trump, and did not identify himself as a supporter of the President nor the Republican party.
Additionally, Gore revealed officials are now investigating whether the suspect is responsible for an Escondido mosque fire last month. He also said authorities are stepping-up security at places of worship throughout San Diego county.
A female juvenile victim is said to be in stable condition and has been transferred to an area children’s hospital, while 2 other adult males, including a rabbi, receive treatment at Palomar Medical Center.
This is still a developing situation, and we will continue updating this story as new information becomes available.
A crisis hotline has been established with counselors available to those effected by the shooting.
San Diego Crisis Hotline: (888)-274-7240
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