In a tragic turn of events, a gunman unleashed gunfire inside a dental office in El Cajon, California, on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the death of one person and injuring two others.
The suspect, identified as Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, was apprehended by San Diego police late Thursday local time, according to El Cajon Police Capt. Rob Ransweiler.
The incident unfolded when authorities responded to a 911 call at the office located on North Magnolia Avenue at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, law enforcement provided urgent medical assistance to the three victims involved in the shooting.
Unfortunately, one male victim succumbed to his injuries, while a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s sustained injuries. Both injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The deceased victim’s identity will be publicly disclosed by the coroner’s office, as per police statements.
During a news briefing, Capt. Ransweiler refrained from speculating on whether the shooting was a targeted attack or if the suspect had prior knowledge of the victims. The gunfire erupted within the confines of the dental office, with no additional injuries reported among bystanders.
The father of the wounded woman, aged 27, confirmed that she had suffered gunshot wounds to her legs.
Police revealed that surveillance footage from a citywide camera system identified the suspect’s vehicle, described as a white U-Haul pickup truck. Subsequent investigation confirmed that Abdulkareem had rented the truck, leading to his apprehension near the location where the vehicle was located.
As authorities continue their investigation into the tragic incident, the FBI San Diego and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are providing assistance to ensure a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.