President Trump said Saturday the shooting at a synagogue in California was an apparent hate crime.
“My deepest sympathies go to the families who were affected,” the president told reporters at the White House. “Looks like a hate crime. Hard to believe … looks like the person was apprehended.”
At least one person was killed and three injured in the shooting in Poway, near San Diego.
As the shooter fled, an off-duty Border Patrol agent inside the synagogue opened fire, missing him but striking his getaway vehicle in the city of Poway, just over 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of San Diego, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said.
The gunman called 911 shortly afterward to report the shooting, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said. When an officer reached the man on a roadway, “the suspect pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody,” Chief Nisleit said.
The suspect, a 19-year-old white male from San Diego, was taken into custody moments later without further incident and is being questioned by homicide detectives and the FBI, the sheriff said.
Names of the suspect nor deceased were not immediately released.
The president first tweeted, “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!”
Then he later added: “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!”
• This article was also based in part on wire service reports.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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