The Jewish San Diego dentist who was allegedly shot to death by a “disgruntled” former patient on Thursday has been identified as Dr. Benjamin Ariel Harouni, 28.
Harouni was a licensed dentist and worked in the dental practice he ran with his father, Jack.
Medical staff at the office attempted to save Harouni’s life, but he died from multiple gunshot wounds on the sidewalk in front of the Smile Plus dental office shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday.
Father and son, Jack and Benjamin, are said to be beloved members of the area’s Persian-Jewish community.
The alleged gunman, dressed all in black, was identified as Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29. He also allegedly injured two other people in the practice, including receptionist Yareli Carrillo, 28. Both were rushed to hospital in serious but stable condition.
The Jewish San Diego dentist who was shot and killed allegedly by a “disgruntled” former patient on Thursday has been identified as Dr. Benjamin Ariel Harouni, 28. He is seen celebrating his 28th birthday on February 20.
Benjamin Harouni earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Southern California before studying at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery.
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 was found to be armed with a loaded pistol and several loaded magazines.
Police said Friday that Abdulkareem had legally purchased the gun he used in the attack just two weeks ago. The exact motive for the shooting is still unclear.
Benjamin Harouni earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Southern California before studying at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Harouni had said that becoming a dentist had been his life’s passion and that he loved taking pride in providing all of his patients with “honest, quality dental care,” according to his website.
Office receptionist Yareli Carrillo, 28, was shot in the legs but is stable
The office was run by father and son team of doctors, Jack (pictured) and Benjamin Harouni.
Dr. Benjamin Harouni, second from left, along with his family members.
Relatives, including Benjamin’s grandfather Sam Harouni, paid tribute to the dentist.
Harouni said he loved taking pride in providing all of his patients with “honest, quality dental care,” according to his website.
Ben Harouni, pictured as a child, had said that becoming a dentist had been his lifelong passion.
Footage of a SWAT team outside the El Cajon dental office where a shooting unfolded Thursday afternoon.
Capt. Rob Ransweiler said Abdulkareem was familiar to people inside the office.
“There were a lot of family members there,” 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 van with Arizona plates just an hour before the shooting.
He reportedly used the vehicle to flee the scene after opening fire.
“A vigilant citizen alerted the San Diego Police Department who believed the U-Haul truck involved in the shooting was parked near 6th Avenue 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 in front of his dental office.
The suspect’s vehicle, a white U-Haul truck with Arizona license plate AM14894, was identified shortly after the shooting. Police said they later confirmed the suspect had rented the truck.
‘San Diego police officers responded and discovered the truck was unoccupied. A short time later, officers located Abdulkareem in the area and took him into custody without incident.
Abdulkareem is charged with multiple felonies, including one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is being held without bail.
The FBI team in San Diego, as well as the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are assisting in the investigation.