Poway Mayor, Chabad of Poway Rabbi Were First to Greet President Trump Upon His Arrival in San Diego
The Poway mayor said he wanted to show his gratitude for Mr. Trump's 'steadfast support' of the victims in the Poway synagogue shooting
By Sophia McCullough ••
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus and Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein were among the first to greet President Donald Trump when he deplaned Air Force One Wednesday at MCAS Miramar in San Diego.
Mayor Vaus said he gave President Trump a “Mayor’s Medallion” after shaking the president’s hand in the receiving line upon his arrival.
Vaus told NBC 7 he had the medallions made when he entered office as a way to thank Poway city employees, residents and others for their service.
The Poway mayor wanted to show his gratitude for Mr. Trump's "steadfast support" of the victims in the Poway synagogue shooting as well as the broader Poway community after the attack.
"From two hours after the shooting I heard from the White House. A few hours after I heard from the president," Mayor Vaus told NBC 7. "Since then the White House continues to check-in and make sure we have the resoures we need, make sure we have the support we need, and that's important to us."
Vaus said he didn’t tell any of the security present that he was going to give Mr. Trump the medallion, so it came as a surprise to Mr. Trump.
"I shook his hand -- he had a strong grip -- and I said, 'Mr. President, you have been steadfast and i'm here to thank you on behalf of the city of Poway for all you've done and for all your administration has done. This Mayor's Medallion is a token of our appreciation.'"
As Mr. Trump moved down the line, Vaus stepped out of line and intercepted the President at the end of the line where Rabbi Goldstein stood. Goldstein was one of the victims in the shooting, losing part of his index finger.
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Rabbi Goldstein previously met Mr. Trump at the White House's National Day of Prayer Service in May where he was invited to speak. President Trump also honored Army Veteran Oscar Stewart and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Jonathan Morales, who chased the shooter away from the synagogue.
The Poway synagogue shooting survivors were at the White House today for National Day of Prayer. NBC 7's Alex Presha has more.
Speaking to the press outside the White House after the May event, Goldstein said, "To hear the President talk about Chabad of Poway, talk about our synagogue in San Diego, and to talk about Lori Kaye, is what American spirit is truly about. We are one nation, we are one for all, and all for one."
Melissa Adan/NBC 7
Images taken outside Chabad of Poway on Monday, April 29, the afternoon of the funeral service for shooting victim Lori Gilbert-Kaye.
NBC 7
Hannah Kaye (L) and her father Howard Kaye, M.D. talk about their mother/wife Lori Gilbert-Kaye at her funeral service on Monday, April, 29, 2019.
Melissa Adan/NBC 7
Images taken outside Chabad of Poway on Monday, April 29, the afternoon of the funeral service for shooting victim Lori Gilbert-Kaye.
Melissa Adan/NBC 7
Images taken outside Chabad of Poway on Monday, April 29, the afternoon of the funeral service for shooting victim Lori Gilbert-Kaye.
Crystal Whitman
Images taken outside Chabad of Poway on Monday, April 29, the afternoon of the funeral service for shooting victim Lori Gilbert-Kaye.
David McNew/Getty Images
People attend a prayer and candlelight vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church on April 27, 2019, in Poway, California.
David McNew/Getty Images
People attend a prayer and candlelight vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church on April 27, 2019, in Poway, California.
AP
A couple holds candles during a vigil held for victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Poway, California.
David McNew/Getty Images
People attend a prayer and candlelight vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church on April 27, 2019, in Poway, California. A gunman opened fire at the Chabad of Poway synagogue on the last day of Passover, leaving one person dead and three others injured. The suspect is in custody.
AP
Noya Dahan, 8, rides on the shoulders of her father, Israel Dahan, at a candlelight vigil held for victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Poway, California. Dahan was one of the people injured when a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at the synagogue, killing one person and injuring three others.
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People embrace outside the Chabad of Poway synagogue on April 27, 2019, in Poway, California.
AP
Leslie Gollub, left, and Gretchen Gordon hug at a vigil held to support the victims of Saturday's shooting at Chabad of Poway synagogue, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Poway, California.
Denis Poroy/AP
People gather and react outside of the Chabad of Poway synagogue on April 27, 2019, in Poway, California. A 19-year-old man opened fire inside the synagogue near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of a major Jewish holiday, killing a woman and injuring three other people. A rabbi who was injured in the shooting said the gunman's gun jammed, preventing more deaths or injuries.
NBC 7
A 19-year-old San Diego man with a rifle entered Chabad of Poway on Rancho Bernardo Road, west of Interstate 15 at 11:23 a.m. and opened fire on the people inside, law enforcement officials said.
Richard Wilson
More than half a dozen police cars were seen along Rancho Bernardo Road outside Phil’s BBQ -- roughly two miles away from the temple --- where the suspect was apprehended. The 19-year-old pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was taken into custody, SDPD Chief David Nisleit said. "As the officer was placing this 19-year-old male into custody, he clearly saw a rifle sitting on the front passenger seat of the suspect vehicle," he said.
Richard Wilson
As the suspect fled the scene, an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent who was in the synagogue at the time of the shooting opened fire on the suspect, missing the man but striking his vehicle, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said.
NBC 7
One woman died from injuries suffered in the shooting. A girl and two adult men were injured and rushed to Palomar Medical Center Poway, officials confirmed at 2:30 p.m.
NBC 7
A memorial of flowers and signs began growing outside the synagogue. One of the signs said, “Our thoughts & prayers are with you. May the community know no more sorrow.”
NBC 7
President Donald Trump commented on the shooting, saying, "We're doing some very heavy research we'll see what happens, what comes up, at this moment it looks like a hate crime, but my deepest sympathies to all of those affected and we'll get to the bottom of it."
Crystal Whitman
One of the signs at a memorial in honor of the victims of the synagogue shooting said, “We will build this world from LOVE.”
NBC 7
This is Lori Kane and Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, two victims of the shooting. 60-year-old Kane died from injuries suffered in the shooting and 57-year-old Rabbi Goldstein suffered injuries to index fingers.
NBC 7
This is the last picture taken of Lori Kane (Third from left) at her best-friends daughter's graduation taken on Friday, Apr. 26.
A city-wide prayer vigil was held Sunday night at Valle Verde Community Park at 7 p.m. where Rabbi Goldstein and mayor, Steve Vaus from Poway were in attendance
This is eight-year-old Noya Dahan, one of the youngest victims in the shooting, she sustained shrapnel injuries and was released out of the hospital the same day the shooting happened.
This is 34-year-old Almog Peretz, one of the victims, he sustained shrapnel and gunshot wounds in his legs and face. He has been released from the hospital.
John T. Earnest, now 20, was charged with one count of murder with a hate-crime special circumstance and gun allegations, three counts of attempted murder with hate-crime and gun allegations and one count of arson of a house of worship.
