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pnwmom

(108,995 posts)
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 08:42 PM Apr 2019

Family of Poway synagogue shooting suspect John Earnest release statement

Source: ABC/KGTV

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The family of Poway synagogue shooting suspect John T. Earnest released a statement Monday morning saying in part that their "son’s actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold."

Earnest, 19, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of opening fire at the north San Diego County synagogue as worshippers gathered for the final day of Passover. One woman was killed and three others were injured in the attack, including a young girl.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue," the family said through an attorney.

Authorities say Earnest has no known connections to any white supremacist groups .

Read more: https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/family-of-poway-synagogue-shooting-suspect-john-earnest-release-statement?fbclid=IwAR2qh5DoLhqgqbIjslqQijbFE8crOqzXjA0i2YC7Xa83suY9IsmVdvRxdeI



The family's full statement, which is included in the article, appears to concede his guilt: "But our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people."
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Ligyron

(7,639 posts)
1. Yeah, it defiantly sucks to be them right now.
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 08:48 PM
Apr 2019

What am I saying? It will suck to be them from here on out.

Trenzalore

(2,331 posts)
2. I empathize with them as they didn't commit the act
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 09:16 PM
Apr 2019

I also find it hard to believe that someone with such virulent anti-semitism hid it from his family.

pnwmom

(108,995 posts)
3. If he was spending a lot of time by himself online, they might not know.
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 09:20 PM
Apr 2019

But, yes, it would make anyone wonder.

okaawhatever

(9,462 posts)
4. He wrote in his manifesto that his parents didn't teach him the reality of the world or something
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 09:44 PM
Apr 2019

like that. Another family member said he wouldn't talk to anyone or make friends. I can see how he could become radicalized rather easily if he spent enough time on the computer and not enough time with other humans.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
7. Oh, it's REAL easy to have another life that you only reveal online...
Tue Apr 30, 2019, 11:01 AM
Apr 2019

Also this new generation of Nazis and Nazi-lites are a lot smarter than before about hiding in plain sight and looking "ordinary" in their daily lives... The days of Neo-nazis being Wehrmacht cosplayers or looking like punk rockers/bikers with the all black/red suspenders/black boots+white laces and "WHITE POWER" tattooed on their skinheads is mostly over... They realized that not only did this look invite instant attention from cops, scorn and ridicule from the public and instant dismissal from the media, they were turning off countless potential recruits...

BigmanPigman

(51,627 posts)
5. I feel badly for his family, especially after reading his 8 page letter.
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 09:52 PM
Apr 2019
https://heavy.com/news/2019/04/john-earnest/

They were clueless and he even said so. He also said that he had to educate himself on his new, radical views since his family neglected to educate him over his lifetime.

My friend's son had the shooter's dad as his high school Physics teacher. The whole area is surprised and saddened.

canetoad

(17,184 posts)
6. The incel vibes
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 10:32 PM
Apr 2019

Are very strong with this one.

The family is Orthodox Presbyterian; Calvinist, resisting modernist theology.

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