According to authorities, on Thursday afternoon, February 29th, a man allegedly shot and killed his former dentist during an altercation at Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics in El Cajon, Southern California.
Mohammed Abdulkareem
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, reportedly entered the establishment armed with a gun around 4:15 pm, dressed in all black.
He is accused of firing shots, injuring two men and one woman, before fleeing the scene in a U-Haul pick-up truck.
After a five-hour manhunt, the truck was found abandoned in San Diego, approximately 20 miles away. Abdulkareem was discovered nearby with a loaded handgun and multiple magazines.
Dr. Benjamin Harouni
The dentist, identified as Dr. Benjamin Harouni, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two victims were hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Dr. Harouni, a Jewish dentist, had recently celebrated his birthday nine days prior to the incident.
Reports suggest that the attack was premeditated, as Abdulkareem had legally purchased the gun two weeks earlier and rented the truck shortly before the incident.
Although the exact motive remains under investigation, the El Cajon Police Department believes Abdulkareem was a disgruntled former customer of the dental practice. Dr. Harouni was laid to rest on Sunday morning, February 3rd, at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego.
Abdulkareem has been detained in a San Diego jail without bail, facing charges including murder and attempted murder.
Yareli Carrillo
One of the injured individuals has been identified as Yareli Carrillo, 29, the receptionist at the dental clinic, who sustained a leg wound during the attack.