Synagogue killer ‘put anti-jewish manifesto online’

I wish I killed more, said gunman who shot woman as she threw herself between him and rabbi

A GUNMAN who attacked a synagogue in San Diego, killing a woman and injuring three others, was the apparent author of an online manifesto in which he described himself as a martyr for white people with a hatred of anyone seeking the “destruction” of his race.

As Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, yesterday called the attack a “blow to the heart of the Jewish people,” it was learnt that the 19-yearold had claimed responsibility for an arson attack last month on a mosque in Escondido, less than 10 miles away.

John T Earnest, a nursing student and son of a retired teacher, surrendered to police after fleeing the Chabad of Poway synagogue, where he opened fire as worshippers marked the last day of Passover on Saturday. An hour before the attack, a person identifying themselves as Earnest posted an anti-semitic letter to several online forums, writing: “I would die a thousand times over to prevent the doomed fate that the Jews have planned for my race … I feel no remorse. I only wish I killed more. I am honoured to be the one to send these vile anti-humans into the pit of fire where they shall remain for eternity.”

The writer also shared his admiration for perpetrators of mass shootings including the gunman who killed 11 at a Pittsburgh synagogue six months ago and the Christchurch mosque killer.

He described himself as “just a normal dude who wanted to have a family, help and heal people, and play piano”.

The murdered woman was Lori Kaye, a 60-year-old mother of one who reportedly threw herself in front of Yisroel Goldstein, the synagogue’s founding rabbi, who was wounded in both hands. He said: “He was holding the rifle and walking straight at me. As soon as he saw me he started to shoot. That’s when I put my hands up and my fingers got blown away, and then he continued on and killed Lori Kaye.”

Roneet Lev, her close friend, said: “She didn’t die a senselessness death. She died advertising the problem we have with anti-semitism and to bring good to this world.”

Also wounded was eight-year-old Noya Dahan, who was hit with shrapnel in the face and leg, and her uncle, Almong Peretz, 34, who was shot in the leg as he ushered children to safety in a playroom.

The worshippers were about 20 minutes into the service when the gunman walked in. Witnesses said he was dressed in a military vest, wore glasses, and carried an assault rifle. Some said he was shouting obscenities, with one US news outlet reporting that he screamed: “F--- the Jews.”

The suspect was later located at a roadside and taken into custody without incident, according to San Diego police. “He jumped out of the car with his hands up,” said police chief David Nisleit, who added that the suspect appeared not to have a criminal record.