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UPDATE– The investigators identified the gunman as John Earnest, 19 years old.
POWAY, Calif. – The San Diego County Sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting at a synagogue that killed a person in Poway, California on Saturday afternoon.
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus confirmed that one person had been killed in the shooting. Authorities also confirmed that three others were injured.
The incident was reported to the Chabad congregation at 16934 Chabad Way shortly before 11:30 am, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office twitter account said.
"MPs are investigating the reports of an armed man, stay away from where you are and let MPs do their work safely, thank you for your patience and cooperation", said the tweet.
A suspect, described as a man, was arrested for interrogation, the sheriff's office announced.
Scripps' affiliate, KGTV, learned that at least two people were shot dead and were transported to the Palomar Medical Center.
One of the victims, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, was injured in the hand. His condition is unknown. One witness said that despite his injuries, the rabbi tried to calm the faithful and the shooter.
The Family Assistance Center, located at 15500 Espola Road, Poway High, was designed as a meeting place for synagogue visitors separated during the shooting.
The sheriff's department tweeted that Espola Road heading east on Summerfield Lane and Espola Road heading west on Avenida Florencia would be closed until Sunday, April 28 in the morning.
The synagogue was organizing its celebration of the Passover feast, which was to begin at 11 am, according to an announcement. The celebration was to end at 7 pm with a last Passover meal.
One witness said that he heard three shots and then dropped to the ground for shelter. He said that he had heard a total of 15 shots and that the shooting had lasted between 20 and 30 seconds.
It is unknown how many people were in the synagogue at the time of the shooting.
The Saturday shootout comes six months after the death of a dozen people in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Robert Bowers is accused of shooting 18 worshipers altogether, 11 of whom were killed, in the synagogue of the Tree of Life on October 27, 2018.
President Donald Trump responded on Twitter to Saturday's incident.
"Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the shooting at the synagogue in Poway, California, God bless you all, a suspect apprehended, the forces of order have done a remarkable job, thank you!" Trump tweeted.
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