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The shooting, which Vaus described as a possible hate crime, took place at the Chabad congregation on the last day of Passover.
The Palomar Poway Medical Center has received four patients as a result of the shooting, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Vaus said the three injured people had life-threatening injuries.
He stated that he considered this a hate crime "because of statements made at the entry of the shooter".
The mayor said the congregation was targeted by "someone who has hatred in his heart … towards our Jewish community and who simply does not care". The congregation "took security very seriously," he said.
"I also understand from people on the scene that this shooter was hired by people from the congregation and that these good people have certainly prevented this tragedy from being a tragedy," Vaus told CNN.
Minoo Anvari, a member of the congregation, who said that her husband had witnessed the shooting, said that the rabbi had called for unity and had prayed for peace even after being shot.
"The rabbi said:" We are united, "said Anvari, an Iranian refugee.
"It's a bad thing that's happening everywhere, and we have to believe that this bad thing is real and we must not ignore it, we have to open our eyes, it has prayed for peace, I respect it." even though he was injured, he refused to go to the hospital and he spoke and he finished his speech before leaving the synagogue. "
Anvari said that her husband told her that the shooter was screaming and cursing when he opened fire.
A witness told CNN's subsidiary, KGTV, that there had been six or seven shots followed by screaming and then another volley of blows. The witness stated that the wounded rabbi tried to calm the gunman and members of the congregation.
The San Diego Police Department is assisting sheriff's deputies in this incident, according to a tweet from Chief David Nisleit.
"No known threats, but with great caution, we will provide an additional patrol in places of worship," said Nisleit.
Members were called to the synagogue around 11:30 am (2:30 pm ET). The synagogue's Facebook page announced that a Passover celebration was scheduled for 11 am.
Passover, one of the most sacred celebrations of the Jewish year, ends on Saturday.
The incident comes six months after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
On October 27, Robert Bowers stormed the synagogue, killing 11 people in what the Anti-Defamation League described as the most lethal anti-Semitic attack in American history. shoot and target Jews on social media.
The Chabad of Poway website indicates that the congregation is a center for Jews of all walks of life. It was created in 1986.
Poway, about 20 miles north of San Diego, has about 48,000 inhabitants. It is a middle class community that is called "The City in the Country". The city's website indicates that it has one of the lowest crime rates in the state.
Steve Almasy and Dakin Andone of CNN contributed to this report.
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