A funeral and vigil were held on Sunday for Dr. Benjamin Harouni, the 28-year-old man killed in Thursday's El Cajon dental office shooting.
“We are here gathered to mourn the tragic and untimely death of Benjamin Harouni,” Beverly Hills City Councilmember Sharona Nazarian said at Harouni's funeral.
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A man opened fire inside Smile Plus Dentistry on Feb. 29, killing Harouni and injuring two others. Mohammed Abdulkareem, a 29-year-old El Cajon resident, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting later that night, El Cajon police said. Abdulkareem was described by police as a "disgruntled former customer" who purchased the gun used in the altercation just two weeks ago.
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During the funeral at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley, loved ones consoled each other and shared memories they have of Harouni.
“He cared for others, and he dedicated his life to others. We have lost a tremendous person. One who was so kind,” Chabad of Downtown San Diego's Rabbi Zalman Carlebach said.
The family stressed that they are encouraging love during this time.
“The only thing that help us the belief in the divinity of the God we love and that we all have,” Harouni's uncle Daniel Sadigh said.
Vigil held for El Cajon dentist
Later in the day, community members held a vigil in El Cajon to honor the memory of Harouni.
"I just wish that I could tell him I love him," Harouni's younger brother Jacob said. "I don't think I told him that enough. I wish I could hug him — hug him really tight. I miss him so much."
His younger brother described Harouni as the most empathetic, selfless and pure soul the world has ever known.
Attendees described Harouni as a very positive person who had his head on his shoulders. They remembered him as a kind, generous and driven person who loved helping others.
They also said he was the peacemaker in and outside the family and always brought out the best in people.
"My dad is a dentist. My dad would persuade him actually to not become a dentist," Jacob said. "He said, 'No, this is what I want to do. I want to take care of people. I want to help people and literally make people smile."
Jacob says the family will be starting a foundation in Harouni's honor, and the legacy they want him to be remembered for is peace and love.
Concerns about the motive of the shooting
Some people in the community are concerned about the motives of the shooting.
"Given the heightened threat level facing the Jewish community, it is critical that all possible motives — including antisemitism — that led to the tragic murder of Benjamin Harouni be investigated," Fabienne Perlov, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in San Diego, wrote in a statement shared on X on Saturday.
The El Cajon Police Department shared the following statement on X on Friday:
"The shooting at the dentist’s office [Thursday] is heartbreaking and traumatic for the families involved as well as our community at large. We understand there are concerns about the suspect’s motive. While we are still in the early stages of the investigation, we want to make it clear that there is no indication the attack was racially or politically motivated. As we continue to conduct a thorough investigation, we will keep the community informed of any new developments."
