The family of the alleged 19-year-old California synagogue shooter have released a statement condemning the attack, which killed one and left three others injured.
John Earnest's family released the statement on Monday, two days after he allegedly burst into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego on Passover.
Earnest has since been charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed in the attack. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dohan, eight, and her uncle Almog Peretz, 34, were all injured.
'We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue. But our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people,' the statement begins.
The family of John Earnest, the alleged 19-year-old California synagogue shooter have released a statement condemning the attack, which killed one and left three others injured
Earnest's family released the statement on Monday, two days after he allegedly burst into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego on Passover
'He has killed and injured the faithful who were gathered in a sacred place on a sacred day. To our great shame, he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries.'
Earnest's family revealed that his actions were 'informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold'.
'Like our other five children, he was raised in a family, a faith, and a community that all rejected hate and taught that love must be the move for everything we do,' they continued.
'How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, though we are confident that law enforcement will uncover many details of the path that he took to this evil and despicable act.'
The family added that they are cooperating with investigators and asked for privacy.
Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed in the attack. Witnesses said she was shot while trying to protect Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the attack
Gilbert-Kaye's husband and daughter were also at the synagogue at the time of the attack. The husband tried to save her with CPR before he fainted from shock
'Our heavy hearts will forever go out to the victims and survivors,' they wrote. 'Our thanks go to the first responders who prevented even greater loss of life and the well-wishers who have supported us. And we pray for peace.'
A manifesto posted online shortly before the attack revealed that the shooting was motivated by a hatred of Jewish people. It also took credit for a separate attack on an Escondido mosque last month.
Earnest allegedly
