El Cajon, California – Authorities in El Cajon, California, have arrested Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, following a shooting incident at the Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics that resulted in one fatality and injuries to two others. The shooting took place at an office managed by doctors Jack and Benjamin Harouni, a father-and-son medical team. The deceased victim has not been publicly identified by the police, and details surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.
Abdulkareem, who knew some of the victims, was apprehended after a thorough search that lasted several hours. The office’s receptionist, Yareli Carrillo, was among those injured but is currently in stable condition, with expected recovery. Another individual who was wounded, known to be in his 40s, is also anticipated to survive.
Law enforcement officials stated that Abdulkareem had prior interactions with individuals at the dental office. Reports from The San Diego Union-Tribute mention that many of the individuals present at the scene were acquaintances of the suspect, suggesting a possible motive for the shooting. The police revealed that Abdulkareem had rented a white U-Haul pickup with an Arizona license plate shortly before the incident took place.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the Harounis were present at the office during the shooting. The suspect was found and detained after abandoning the U-Haul truck, with the firearm used in the shooting also recovered. Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting, with assistance from the FBI’s San Diego team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Captain Rob Ransweiler provided details of the arrest, mentioning that officers located the deceased victim within the office during the ongoing shooting and then moved the individual outside to administer emergency aid. The tragic event has left the community shaken as they work to uncover the motives and details surrounding the incident. The quick response from law enforcement officers helped prevent further casualties at the scene.