Local authorities said they detained a man on Saturday in connection with a shooting that took place near a synagogue in San Diego County, California.
Poway’s Mayor Steve Vaus told CNN that one person was killed in the shooting and three others were injured, following a tweet from the sheriff’s office confirming that individuals wounded in the shooting were taken to a nearby hospital.
The incident took place at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, Calif., shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Twitter.
The attack was committed by “someone with hate in their heart … towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand,” Vaus told CNN, adding that members of the synagogue confronted the shooter and prevented a deadlier attack.
“I also understand from folks on the scene that this shooter was engaged by people in the congregation and those brave people certainly prevented this from being a much worse tragedy,” Vaus continued.
San Diego County Sheriff William Gore told reporters at a press conference Saturday following the attack that the suspect taken into custody was an adult male from the city of San Diego, while not confirming if the suspect had prior links to the synagogue. He later confirmed the suspect’s age, 19, on Twitter.
A local ABC affiliate reported that “at least four victims” have been transportation away from the scene, but it was unclear their status.{mosads}
The FBI was also aware of the incident, the agency told ABC, adding that it had deployed agents to assist the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, a San Diego CBS affiliate reported that the man was taken in to custody after attempting to flee the scene before being stopped by police.
The shooting reportedly occurred during a Passover service at the synagogue, according to CBS. The Jewish holiday of Passover ends Saturday at sundown.
President Trump offered condolences to the victims on Twitter, praising the “outstanding” response by law enforcement.
“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!” Trump tweeted.
Authorities described the scene to local media as involving “a lot of injuries” of various degrees of severity, but no information on casualties was immediately available.
The incident comes several months after a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, leaving 11 people dead.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said it was “heartbreaking” to have another shooting during Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, exactly six months after the shooting in October.
– Developing