EL CAJON, Calif. – A California dentist has tragically lost his life after a former patient meticulously planned and carried out a shooting at his dental office, according to local police. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, entered Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics on Thursday afternoon wearing all-black clothing and opened fire, injuring two men and a woman.
Abdulkareem fled the scene in a U-Haul pick-up truck with Arizona license plates, as reported by the El Cajon Police Department. Emergency services arrived promptly but unfortunately, one male victim died at the scene. The other two victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain in a serious but stable condition.
The deceased victim was identified as Dr. Benjamin Harouni, a dentist of Jewish descent who worked at the dental practice owned by his father, according to the Yeshiva World. The other victims include a 28-year-old receptionist named Yareli Carrillo and a man in his 40s, who are both currently recovering from their injuries.
Following the shooting, law enforcement launched a manhunt for Abdulkareem, who was considered armed and dangerous. He was ultimately apprehended five hours later when a local resident reported an abandoned rental truck in San Diego, about 20 miles away from the dental office. Abdulkareem was found in close proximity to the vehicle, along with a loaded handgun and multiple loaded magazines.
Authorities believe the shooting was premeditated based on evidence suggesting that Abdulkareem legally purchased the handgun two weeks prior and rented the U-Haul truck just an hour before the incident. Although the motive behind the attack is still under investigation, the El Cajon Police Department suspects that Abdulkareem was a disgruntled former patient.
Abdulkareem has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is currently being held without bail in a San Diego jail.