EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — A man suspected in a shooting in El Cajon that left one person dead and two others injured on Thursday afternoon was arrested several hours later in San Diego following a countywide manhunt.
At around 4:15 p.m., El Cajon Police were called to the 400 block of North Magnolia Avenue due to a reported active shooting inside a dental office in which an unknown number of shots were fired.
Responding officers arrived to find three victims and immediately administered life-saving measures, according to ECPD Capt. Rob Ransweiler.
The captain told the media that one unidentified male victim died at the scene, while two other victims -- a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s -- were taken to the hospital and expected to survive.
As of Friday morning, El Cajon Police said the surviving victims were in serious but stable condition.
During the initial investigation, police identified the suspected gunman as 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, of El Cajon.
In information provided by El Cajon Police on Friday, ECPD officials stated, “Investigations also revealed that Abdulkareem was a former patient of the dental office. While the exact motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, it is believed that Abdulkareem was a disgruntled former customer.”
Police learned he fled the scene in a rented, white U-Haul pickup truck with an Arizona license plate.
Through the City of El Cajon’s Flock automated license plate reader/camera system, police said they were able to obtain the license plate information and photo of the U-Haul.
“Detectives used the license plate information to determine that Abdulkareem had previously rented the vehicle in San Diego. Having that information so quickly, allowed for the photo of the truck and license plate information to be sent out to the public through news media and police department social media platforms to assist in locating Abdulkareem,” ECPD officials added.
After a witness saw what they believed was the suspect's truck and contacted San Diego Police at around 9:11 p.m., SDPD officers confirmed the discovery of the unoccupied vehicle -- with the matching license plate and description -- at Sixth Avenue and Quince Street, near Balboa Park.
SDPD officers spotted Abdulkareem in the area and took him into custody without incident, according to El Cajon Police.
ECPD officials said, “Abdulkareem was found to be armed with a loaded handgun and several loaded handgun magazines. Records checks on the handgun later showed that it was legally purchased by Abdulkareem, just 2 weeks prior to the shooting.”
ABC 10News learned Abdulkareem was booked into San Diego Central Jail on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder charges and was being held without bail.
El Cajon Police is investigating the incident and is asking anyone with information on the case to call the at 619-579-3311. Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or submit tips at https://www.sdcrimestoppers.org/.
ECPD Chief Mike Moulton said in a statement:
“The El Cajon Police Department mourns with the family and friends of the deceased victim and extends heartfelt condolences to those injured in yesterday's senseless and evil act of violence.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our local, state, and national law enforcement partners who assisted us during this tragic event.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Diego Field Office, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy, provided a tremendous amount of support during the investigation and processing of the crime scene.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshall’s Service Fugitive Task Force, La Mesa Police Department, San Diego County District Attorney’s office, ATF San Diego, and San Diego Police Department provided invaluable assistance in the initial response and subsequent investigation.”
