2019 Poway Synagogue Shooting

Overview

The 2019 Poway Synagogue Shooting was a mass shooting that occurred at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California in late April 2019. One woman was killed by a gunman armed with an assault rifle, while three others suffered non-fatal injuries in the attack.

Background

On April 27, 2019, 19-year old John T. Earnest fired shots inside the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California, on the last day of the Jewish Passover holiday. ^[1] One woman died and three other people were injured.^[2]

Developments

Suspect

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department identified John T. Earnest, a 19-year-old nursing student from the Rancho Penasquitos suburb of San Diego, California, as the suspect. In his manifesto that he posted on 8chan, the author blames Jews for the supposed "meticulously planned genocide of the European race". He praised gunman Brenton Tarrant for his role in the Christchurch mosque shootings in his manifesto and condemned Donald Trump as a Zionist.^[3]

Online Reactions

That day, several posts about the shooting reached the front page of various subreddits.^[6][7][8]

Also on April 27th, Twitter user Leibel Mangel posted a tweet^[5] about Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was shot and injured in the attack (shown below). Within 72 hours, the tweet gained over 17,000 likes and 3,600 retweets.

Politician Responses

President of the United States Donald Trump offered "deepest sympathies to the families of those affected" by the shooting.^[4] (see below)

Vice President of the United States Mike Pence tweeted, condemning the shooting.

We condemn in the strongest terms the evil & cowardly shooting at Chabad of Poway today as Jewish families celebrated Passover. No one should be in fear in a house of worship. Antisemitism isn’t just wrong – it’s evil. https://t.co/hkLOCf0anp

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 27, 2019

Members of the Democratic Party Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden published statements condemning the attack.

Jill and I are devastated to hear about today’s shooting at the Chabad Poway synagogue. No one should have to worship in fear.

As a country, we must speak out against bigotry and gun violence. We’re in the battle for the soul of this nation--and it’s on all of us to act.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 28, 2019

Another horrific shooting at a place of worship, today at the Poway Synagogue in San Diego County. We must work every day to eradicate all forms of hatred and bigotry, and take serious action to protect Americans from gun violence.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 27, 2019

Yet again a place of worship is the target of senseless gun violence and hate. Anti-Semitism is real in this country and we must not be silent – enough is enough. My heart aches for the Chabad of Poway synagogue and the Jewish community.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 27, 2019

Search Interest

External References