The Jewish San Diego dentist who was reportedly shot dead by a “disgruntled” ex-patient on Thursday has been named as 28-year-old Dr. Benjamin Ariel Harouni.
Harouni was a qualified dentist and worked at the dental practice he ran with his father Jack.
Medical staff at the practice tried to save Harouni’s life, but he died of multiple gunshot wounds on the sidewalk in front of the Smile Plus dental office just before 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Father and son, Jack and Benjamin are both said to be beloved members of the area’s Jewish-Persian community.
The alleged gunman, who was wearing all black clothing, was identified as Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29. He is also said to have injured two others at the practice, including receptionist Yareli Carrillo, 28. Both were rushed to hospital in serious but stable condition brought.
The Jewish San Diego dentist who was reportedly shot dead by a “disgruntled” ex-patient on Thursday has been named as 28-year-old Dr. Benjamin Ariel Harouni. He celebrates his 28th birthday on February 20
Benjamin Harouni received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California before studying at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he received his doctorate in dentistry.
Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, was arrested after a desperate search following the shooting at Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics in El Cajon
Abdulkareem was arrested Thursday about five hours after the shooting, about 20 miles from where the incident occurred. He appeared to be armed with a loaded pistol and several loaded pistol magazines.
Police said Friday that Abdulkareem legally purchased the gun he used in the attack just two weeks ago. An exact motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Benjamin Harouni received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California before studying at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he received his doctorate in dentistry.
Harouni had said that becoming a dentist had been his lifelong passion and that he took pride in providing all his patients with “honest and high-quality dental care,” according to his website.
The office’s receptionist, Yareli Carrillo, 28, was shot in the legs but is in stable condition
The office was run by the father-and-son team of doctors Jack (pictured) and Benjamin Harouni
Dr. Benjamin Harouni, second from left, is seen with family members
Family members, including Benjamin’s grandfather Sam Harouni, paid tribute to the dentist
Harouni said he took pride in providing “honest and high-quality dental care” to all his patients, according to his website.
Ben Harouni, depicted as a young boy, had said that becoming a dentist was his lifelong passion
Footage from a SWAT team outside the El Cajon dental office where a shooting occurred Thursday afternoon
Capt. Rob Ransweiler said Abdulkareem was known to those in the office.
“There were a lot of family members at the scene,” he said. “Most of the people who were involved have information about who was involved.”
Police believe Abdulkareem, an El Cajon resident, rented a white U-Haul pickup with Arizona plates just an hour before the shooting.
He reportedly used the vehicle to flee the scene after opening fire.
“An alert citizen alerted San Diego Police that they believed the U-Haul truck involved in the shooting was parked near 6thAvenue and Quince Street in San Diego,” police said in a statement about Abdulkareem’s arrest .
Dr. Benjamin Harouni was shot several times and died on the sidewalk outside his dental office
The suspect’s vehicle, a white U-Haul pickup with Arizona license plate AM14894, was identified shortly after the shooting. Police subsequently confirmed that the suspect had rented the truck
“San Diego Police responded and found the truck unoccupied. A short time later, officers located Abdulkareem in the area and took him into custody without incident.”
Abdulkareem is charged with multiple crimes, including one murder and two attempted murders. He is being held without bail.
The FBI’s San Diego team and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.