A gunman opened fire inside a dentist's office in El Cajon, California, Thursday afternoon, killing one person and injuring two others.
Police are searching for the suspect, identified as Mohamed Abdulkareem, 29, who said he used a handgun. Police considered him armed and dangerous and advised anyone who saw him to call 911.
Police responded to a 911 call at an office on North Magnolia Avenue at 4:15 p.m. local time and provided “lifesaving assistance” to three victims.
The deceased victim was a man. Police have not released his identity. Police said the coroner's office will respond to identification.
El Cajon Police Lt. Rob Ransweiler said at a news conference Thursday night that officers found the victim, who had died inside the station during the shooting, and took him outside where it was safer to perform life-saving measures.
The two injured victims, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, Ransweiler said.
Police declined to say whether they believe the shooting was targeted or whether they believe the suspect knew the victim.
Ransweiler said the shooting occurred at a dental office and that all involved were inside the office, adding that other people were also inside when the shooting occurred. No other injuries were reported inside the building.
Police said a camera system used throughout the city identified the suspect's vehicle. white U-Haul pickup Comes with Arizona license plate AM14894. They later confirmed that the suspect had rented the truck.
Ransweiler said there was no indication of the suspect's whereabouts, noting that had police known where he was, he would have been taken into custody.
FBI San Diego and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.
El Cajon is a city located approximately 24 miles northeast of San Diego.
