The suspect in Poway, California synagogue shooting called 911 and surrendered to authorities without incident after fleeing the crime scene, where he killed a woman and injured three others on Saturday.
San Diego Sheriff William Gore identified the synagogue shooting suspect as John Earnest, a 19-year-old student at California State University San Marcos.
According to Gore, the shooter had no previous contacts will law enforcement. Investigators serve search warrants for his car and home. They are also looking into digital evidence and checking the authenticity of a manifesto, which the suspect posted online.
Additionally, the sheriff said his department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in San Diego to determine whether he suspect was involved in the arson and vandalism of a mosque in Escondido, California.
Authorities charged the suspect with one count of first degree murder and three counts of first-degree attempted murder. He committed his horrendous act during the last day of Passover, a Jewish holiday remembering God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt.
California synagogue shooting was a “hate crime”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump told White House reporters, “At this moment, it looks like a hate crime. My deepest sympathies to all of those affected and we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
