Following an altercation on Thursday afternoon, February 29, authorities say a man shot and killed his former dentist.
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, is accused by the authorities of carrying a gun at 4:15 p.m. and breaking into Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics in El Cajon, southern California. Clad in all black, he is said to have fired, hitting two men and one woman.
After Abdulkareem reportedly drove off in a U-Haul pickup truck, a concerned onlooker noticed the car had been abandoned roughly 20 miles away in San Diego, ending the five-hour manhunt.
A loaded handgun and multiple magazines were purportedly found on the suspect when they were discovered close to the truck.
The other two victims were taken to the hospital in “serious but stable” condition; the dentist passed away at the scene.
Dr. Benjamin Harouni, a Jewish dentist employed at his father’s dental office, is the deceased man.
It is believed that just nine days prior to the shooting, he celebrated his birthday.
A dental clinic receptionist named Yareli Carrillo, 29, has been identified as one of the attack victims. She sustained a leg wound during the Thursday afternoon attack in the El Cajon suburb of San Diego. A 40-year-old employee and Carrillo were both injured.
Although the truck was only rented a few hours prior to the incident, reports suggest the alleged attack was well-planned. Records show Abdulkareem lawfully purchased the gun two weeks ago.
“It is believed that Abdulkareem was a disgruntled former customer,” the El Cajon Police Department stated in a statement, “though the exact motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.”
The dentist who died on February 3 was laid to rest in El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego on Sunday morning.
Since then, Abdulkareem has been charged with murder and attempted murder and placed under house arrest in San Diego without being granted bail.
