NBC 7 San Diego reports – A woman has died after shots were fired inside a Poway, California synagogue filled with people celebrating the last day of Passover. A suspect was taken into custody approximately two miles away from the synagogue while three patients were rushed to a nearby hospital.

A man with a rifle entered Chabad of Poway on Rancho Bernardo Road, west of Interstate 15 at 11:23 a.m. and opened fire on the people inside, law enforcement officials said.

“We didn’t hear him screaming or saying anything. He was just focused to kill. You saw the hate and the murder in his eyes,” one witness told NBC 7. “He had a vest and he had clips in the vest. He was ready. He was ready. He came in to kill.”

As the suspect fled the scene, an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent who was in the synagogue at the time of the shooting opened fire on the suspect, missing the man but striking his vehicle, Gore said.

The suspect John T. Earnest, 19, of San Diego, does not have a criminal history and has no apparent connection with white supremacist groups, according to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore.

Multiple law enforcement sources confirm to NBC News that the suspect in the Poway synagogue shooting is 19-year-old John T. Earnest.

According to a manifesto, published online shortly after 10 a.m. PST on Saturday, Earnest also takes responsibility for an Escondido Mosque arson a month prior. During that incident, Earnest spray-painted messages referencing the New Zealand mosque shooting.

The synagogue shooting and the mosque arson were less than 9 miles apart.

President Trump offered his condolences and prayers to all those affected by the shooting at the Poway Synagogue.

Thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the shooting at the Synagogue in Poway, California. God bless you all. Suspect apprehended. Law enforcement did outstanding job. Thank you!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1122254362175332355

Only moments ago, President Trump addressed a massive crowd in Wisconsin at his scheduled rally, telling them: “The strength of our nation is found in the heart of our people… Tonight, America’s heart is with the victims of the horrific synagogue shooting in Poway, CA.” –

John Gibbons, who covers breaking news in San Diego, posted these images of police surrounded the shooters home.

San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore provides an update on the attack. One elderly woman who was shot has died, one young girl and two men who were shot in the Synagogue are at the hospital being treated for gunshot wounds and are in stable condition.

President Trump offered his thanks to “our greaat Border Patrol agent who stopped the shooter at the Synagogue in Poway, California.” Trump added, “He may have been off duty but his talents for Law Enforcement weren’t!”

Sincerest THANK YOU to our great Border Patrol Agent who stopped the shooter at the Synagogue in Poway, California. He may have been off duty but his talents for Law Enforcement weren’t!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1122270956192272385

Trump brought up the brave off duty US Border Agent who saved lives by shooting at the suspect at his rally in Wisconsin.

 

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