At around 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday, a man with an “AR-type assault weapon” walked into the Chabad of Poway synagogue and shot and killed one person and injured at least three others, according to San Diego County authorities.

The shooting took place during a Passover holiday celebration that was scheduled to last until 7:00 p.m., according to the synagogue’s website. Saturday was the eighth and final day of Passover.

Saturday also marks exactly six months to the day since the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when a man killed 11 people and injured six others in a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.

Today also marks 6 months to the day of the tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue In Pittsburgh. Enough. Enough hate. Enough gun violence. I stand with all Jewish Americans today. — Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) April 27, 2019

Steve Vaus, the mayor of Poway, called the shooting a hate crime.

“I understand that this was someone with hate in their heart, hate for the Jewish community,” Vaus told CNN. “I also understand from folks on the scene that this shooter was engaged by people in the congregation and those brave people certainly prevented this from being a much worse tragedy.”


Vaus said a man has been detained for questioning, and it is believed he acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the community of Poway, which is near San Diego, California. San Diego Police arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the shooting, Sheriff Bill Dore confirmed. The suspect has not been named.

President Donald Trump also referred to the shooting as a hate crime in remarks outside the White House on Saturday evening.

Thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the shooting at the Synagogue in Poway, California. God bless you all. Suspect apprehended. Law enforcement did outstanding job. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2019

In 2017, reported anti-Semitic hate crimes spiked by a staggering 37% in the United States, according to the FBI.

This is a developing story and will be updated.