Gunman Leaves One Dead, Two Injured in El Cajon Dentist Office Shooting
In a tragic incident on Thursday afternoon, one person was killed, and two others were injured when a gunman opened fire inside a dentist office in El Cajon, California.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, remains at large, and police have issued a warning that he is armed and dangerous. Authorities urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact 911.
The El Cajon Police responded to a 911 call at the North Magnolia Street office around 4:15 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, they provided immediate “lifesaving support” to the three victims. The deceased victim, a male, has not been publicly identified, pending notification of the family. The coroner’s office is expected to confirm the identity.
During a news briefing, El Cajon police Capt. Rob Ransweiler revealed that officers discovered the deceased victim inside the office during the active shooting. They moved him outside to a safer location for lifesaving measures. The two injured victims, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, were transported to local hospitals and are currently in stable condition.
Police have not disclosed whether the shooting was targeted or if the suspect had any prior connection to the victims. The incident unfolded exclusively within the dental office, and authorities confirm that no additional injuries were reported among bystanders.
Utilizing a citywide camera system, police identified the suspect’s vehicle as a white U-Haul pickup with Arizona license plate AM14894. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had rented the truck. Despite efforts, there is currently no indication of the suspect’s whereabouts.
El Cajon police are treating the case as a homicide investigation, actively working to locate the suspect and conducting a comprehensive crime scene analysis. Capt. Ransweiler emphasized that the investigation would be ongoing for an extended period.
El Cajon, located 15 miles northeast of San Diego, is grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence as the community awaits updates on the investigation.