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1 dead, 2 injured shooting at Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics in El Cajon
Clinic was run by dad and son and locals claim they knew suspect
Police reported that the gunman responsible for the shooting at a southern California dental office, resulting in one fatality and two injuries, was acquainted with some of the victims.
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, was apprehended on Thursday following an extensive search following the incident at Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics on North Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon, situated approximately 15 miles northeast of San Diego.
Yareli Carrillo, the office’s receptionist, aged 28, sustained gunshot wounds to the legs but is reported to be in stable condition and is anticipated to recover.
A man in his forties, whose identity remains undisclosed, also sustained injuries but is projected to recover.
The individual fatally wounded in the shooting at the office, managed by doctors Jack and Benjamin Harouni, has not yet been named by the authorities.
It remains uncertain whether the Harounis were present in the office during the shooting. Captain Rob Ransweiler indicated that Abdulkareem was recognized by individuals within the office.
“There were numerous family members present at the scene,” he stated. “Many of those involved have provided information regarding the incident.”
Authorities suspect that Abdulkareem, an El Cajon resident, leased a white U-Haul pickup truck with an Arizona license plate merely an hour before the shooting.
Reports suggest that Abdulkareem utilized a handgun, although the exact number of shots fired remains unclear.
The U-Haul was discovered abandoned shortly before law enforcement apprehended the suspect nearby. Investigators are continuing to probe the motive behind the incident.
Abdulkareem was apprehended by police shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday. He was arrested, and the firearm was recovered.
Ransweiler addressed the media on Thursday evening, stating that officers located the deceased victim inside the office while the shooting was ongoing.
They moved him outside to administer lifesaving measures safely.
The FBI’s San Diego team, along with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are assisting in the investigation.
This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.
