California dentist gunned down in pre-planned attack by ‘disgruntled’ ex-patient who sparked 5-hour manhunt: cops

Dr. Benjamin Harouni was identified by media as the victim who died at the scene.

A dentist in California met a tragic end on Thursday when a former patient, allegedly harboring deep grievances, carried out a meticulously planned attack at his dental office, as detailed by law enforcement officials.

Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, reportedly entered Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics clad in all-black attire around 4:15 p.m., initiating a shooting spree that targeted two adult men and one adult woman.

After the assault, the assailant swiftly fled the scene in a U-Haul pickup bearing Arizona license plates, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

Mohammed Abdulkareem allegedly shot three people, killing one, at a California dental office.

Despite prompt emergency response within a mere two minutes, one of the male victims succumbed to his injuries on-site. The other victims were promptly transported to the hospital, their conditions described as serious yet stable.

Although the authorities refrained from disclosing the victims' identities, the deceased was identified by the Yeshiva World as Dr. Benjamin Harouni, a dentist of Jewish descent who practiced at the dental clinic owned by his father.

Yareli Carrillo, 28, identified as the receptionist, and another male victim in his forties were reported as the other casualties by the outlet, although their identities remained unconfirmed by the El Cajon Police Department.

Following the heinous act, a massive manhunt ensued for Abdulkareem and the U-Haul, with law enforcement issuing alerts cautioning the public of an armed and dangerous individual on the loose.

Approximately five hours post the shooting, a vigilant citizen reported the abandoned rental truck in San Diego, a mere 20 miles away from the dental office. Abdulkareem was subsequently apprehended nearby, in possession of a loaded handgun and multiple magazines.

Law enforcement officials indicated that the attack had been meticulously planned over several weeks. Records unveiled that Abdulkareem legally procured the handgun merely two weeks before the incident and rented the U-Haul an hour prior to the assault on his former dentist.

"While the precise motive behind the shooting remains under scrutiny, indications suggest that Abdulkareem harbored grievances as a former dissatisfied client," stated the El Cajon Police Department in a formal statement.

The Anti-Defamation League in San Diego clarified on Friday that the victim was a member of the Jewish community but stressed that investigations had yet to unearth any evidence of antisemitic motivations.

Smile Plus Dentistry, owned by Jack Harouni, lists Dr. Benjamin Harouni as one of three practicing doctors. The late dentist had recently celebrated his birthday just nine days before the tragic incident, as indicated by a social media post.

Abdulkareem was subsequently detained in a San Diego jail on multiple felony charges, including one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder, and is currently being held without bail.