In a distressing turn of events, the El Cajon community was rocked by a shooting incident that left one person dead and two others injured. The episode unfolded at the Smile Plus Dentistry and Orthodontics located at 480 North Magnolia Avenue, casting a shadow of terror over the otherwise peaceful area.
The incident was reported to the authorities around 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, prompting an immediate response from the El Cajon Police Department (ECPD). Captain Rob Ransweiler detailed in a press briefing that upon arrival, officers were faced with a critical situation.
They managed to extricate the victims from the dental office and administered CPR to them on-site. Despite their efforts, one victim succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The other two individuals, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The aftermath of the shooting saw a heightened police presence in the area, captured by SkyFOX aerial footage around 4:50 p.m., which showed multiple police vehicles stationed outside the dental facility.
Authorities have since identified the suspect in this heinous act as 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, a native of El Cajon. Abdulkareem was last observed fleeing northbound on North Mollison Avenue driving a white U-Haul pickup truck, bearing Arizona license plate number AM14894.
The ECPD, through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), has alerted the public that Abdulkareem is considered “armed and dangerous.” It has been confirmed that a handgun was used in the crime, and there were additional individuals present in the dental office at the time of the incident.
In the wake of the shooting, a significant portion of North Magnolia Avenue, specifically at the intersection with West Madison Avenue, was closed to traffic as part of the ongoing investigation. The duration of this closure remains unspecified as authorities continue their work at the scene.
The identity of the deceased will be officially determined and disclosed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office in due course. Meanwhile, the ECPD is urging anyone with any information related to this tragic event to come forward and contact them at 619-579-3311 or through the emergency number 911.
This incident has undoubtedly left the El Cajon community in a state of shock and mourning. It serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of violent acts and their profound impact on communities. The authorities are committed to capturing the suspect and bringing a sense of justice and closure to the affected families and the community at large.