John T. Earnest, the 19-year-old suspect arrested after the fatal shootings at Chabad of Poway, is a Cal State San Marcos student with no prior police record.
Authorities believe Earnest to be the only suspect, and suggested he may also be a suspect in the attempted arson of an Escondido mosque in Apri.
Cal State San Marcos President Karen S. Haynes acknowledged Saturday evening that Earnest is a student at the university in North County.
“We are dismayed and disheartened that the alleged shooter now in custody is a CSUSM student,” Haynes said in a statement. “CSUSM is working collaboratively with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to assist and gain more information.
In an “open letter” posted online shortly before the shooting, an individual writing under Earnest’s name took credit for both the synagogue shooting and the suspected arson fire at the mosque. The letter makes multiple anti-Semitic references and other racist comments.
San Diego Sheriff William Gore said authorities were working to verify the authenticity of the letter. Investigators couldn’t confirm if the alleged shooter is connected to any white supremacist groups.
Earnest has no prior arrests, the sheriff said, adding that deputies were serving warrants for Earnest’s home and his car to learn more.
Gore said there were no further known threats to religious gatherings in the San Diego area.
“We encourage our communities to continue with scheduled events and other activities as normal,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement Saturday night. “The suspect in the Poway incident today has been captured and we believe he acted alone.”
“Of course, if you have information about any potential threats, we want to hear from you. We have assigned deputies to religious centers throughout the weekend and will continue in our patrols and outreach moving forward.”
