The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the victim killed in a shooting at a dental office in El Cajon, California.

Victim Identified: Benjamin Ariel Harouni

Benjamin Ariel Harouni, 28, a dentist at Smile Plus Dentistry and Orthodontics, was identified as the deceased individual in the tragic incident. The shooting occurred at the dental office located at 480 North Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon.

Details of the Incident

According to the El Cajon Police Department, the shooting took place early Thursday evening inside Smile Plus Dentistry and Orthodontics. Harouni, along with two others, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. Despite efforts by law enforcement to perform CPR, Harouni succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The two other victims, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, were transported to the hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. Police have indicated that there were additional individuals present in the dental office at the time of the shooting.

Suspect Apprehended

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, was apprehended by law enforcement following a manhunt. Abdulkareem, described as a disgruntled former customer of the dental office, fled the scene after the shooting.

Police located Abdulkareem and a U-Haul pickup truck believed to be driven by him in the Balboa Park area. Upon his arrest, authorities discovered a loaded handgun and several loaded handgun magazines on Abdulkareem, which records show were legally purchased by him just two weeks prior to the shooting.

Legal Proceedings

Abdulkareem has been booked into the San Diego County Central Jail on multiple felony charges, including one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Law enforcement officials have indicated that further investigation into the incident may result in additional felony charges against Abdulkareem. He is scheduled to be arraigned in the coming week.

Community Reaction

Brian Jones, California Senate Minority Leader for Senate District 40 of San Diego, expressed condolences to Harouni’s family and friends. He also commended law enforcement for their swift response and investigation into the tragic event, emphasizing the importance of holding the perpetrator accountable.

Seeking Justice

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, there is a collective call for justice for Benjamin Ariel Harouni and all those affected by the shooting at Smile Plus Dentistry and Orthodontics. Law enforcement’s efforts to bring the perpetrator to account offer a glimmer of hope in the face of tragedy.

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