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The man accused of killing one person and wounding three others at a synagogue outside San Diego last month faces a rare pairing of state and federal prosecutors, both with the option of pursuing the death penalty against him.
John T. Earnest, 19, is expected to make his first federal court appearance Tuesday on charges of hate crimes.
Earnest has been charged with 109 federal counts, most of them in connection with the April 27 shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue that resulted in the death of congregant Lori Gilbert Kaye, hand injuries to Rabbi Yisrael Goldstein and wounds to two other worshipers.
The federal hate crime charges make Earnest eligible for the death penalty if convicted. He also faces state murder and attempted murder charges that could lead to the capital punishment for the synagogue onslaught, and he has been accused of arson in relation to a fire at a mosque in nearby Escondido the previous month.
On April 30, Earnest pleaded not guilty to the state charges in both cases.
After the shooting spree, which prosecutors say ended when Earnest failed to reload his semi-automatic rifle and was rushed by members of the congregation, he called 911 and told a dispatcher, “I just shot up a synagogue,’’ adding that his reason was, “because Jewish people are destroying the white race.’’ He was arrested shortly afterward.
Prosecutors described Earnest as consumed with hatred toward Jews and Muslims, and they say he was inspired to act by last year’s shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue and the March assault on two New Zealand mosques that left 50 people dead. Earnest allegedly posted a manifesto detailing his beliefs.
More:The last day of Passover: Two families, one shared tragedy at Poway synagogue
Related:Feds charge suspect in Poway synagogue killing with 109 counts of hate crimes
In announcing the federal charges against Earnest on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer Jr. said he expected the state and federal cases to proceed simultaneously, which is uncommon.
So is Earnest’s profile in light of the horrific acts he’s accused of. A nursing student at Cal State San Marcos, Earnest is a gifted pianist and was an accomplished athlete and scholar at Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego, where his father, John A. Earnest, is a popular physics teacher.
The younger Earnest apparently got radicalized sometime in the last two years through online readings. Two days after the attack, his family issued a powerfully worded statement denouncing his actions.
“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 motive for everything we do,’’ the statement said. “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.’’
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Accused San Diego synagogue shooter to appear in court, may face state and federal death penalty
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