San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said police and FBI were investigating Earnest's "possible involvement" in the March 24 pre-dawn arson fire at the Islamic Centre of Escondido, a town about 24 km north of Poway. San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials issued a statement saying the gunman in Saturday's attack was believed to have acted alone and that there "are no known threats to religious gatherings." Poway Mayor Steve Vaus characterised Saturday's shooting as a "hate crime," saying his assessment was based on statements uttered by the gunman when he entered the synagogue. Local media at the time reported that a message scrawled on the driveway of the mosque mentioned the New Zealand massacre. The synagogue on Saturday was hosting a holiday celebration due to culminate in a final Passover meal that evening.

Source: bd News24 April 28, 2019 09:00 UTC