California synagogue shooting – doctor giving CPR to fatally wounded victim fainted when he realised it was his wife
A DOCTOR who performed CPR on a California synagogue shooting victim fainted when he realised that the woman he was desperately trying to save was his wife.
During Saturday’s synagogue attack in California, a physician raced over to help victims of the bloodbath – including his wife, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, who was fatally wounded.
Evil synagogue synagogue shooter John Earnest, 19, stormed the Chabad of Poway near San Diego in a sickening assault rifle attack, police say.
When he brutally opened fire upon worshippers, Earnest was unable to kill more because his gun miraculously jammed, it was revealed last night.
One woman – Lori Gilbert-Kaye – died and three others were injured before a hero off-duty Border Patrol officer returned fire, forcing the shooter to flee.
She had bravely leaped in front of Brooklyn-born Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, saving his life.
A family friend, Dr Roneet Lev, told The San Diego Union-Tribune that her doctor husband, Dr Howard Kaye, ran over to help the gunman’s victims, and started CPR on one woman.
Upon realising it was his spouse, he fainted, Lev added.
The paper reports that Gilbert-Kaye, mum of a 22-year-old daughter, had gone to the synagogue to say a Jewish prayer for the dead, Kaddish, as her own mum had recently died.
Lev, director of emergency operations at San Diego Scripps Mercy Hospital, said: “The irony is people will be saying it for her now.
“God picked her to die to send a message because she’s such an incredible person.
“He took her for a higher purpose to send this message to fight Antisemitism.”
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein – who lost two fingers in the rampage – revealed on Sunday that the gunman’s shooting spree was cut short when his weapon malfunctioned.
Mr Goldstein said: “I couldn’t see his eyes, I couldn’t see his soul” when the attacker stormed the synagogue wielding an AR-15 and wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet.
The Rabbi added: “Miraculously the gun jammed.”
SHOOTING SPREE
Earnest, of San Diego, surrendered to police after bursting into the synagogue and opening fire as about 100 people were worshipping on the final day of Passover.
The attack Saturday came exactly six months after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue in which 11 people were killed.
The shooting resulted in three people being injured: Goldstein, eight-year-old Noya Dahan and her 34-year-old uncle, Almog Peretz.
The three injured were released from hospital on Sunday.
I was scared, really, really scared. I didn’t see my dad. I thought he was dead
Noya Dahan, 8-year-old victim
Defiant Rabbi Goldstein wrapped his bloodied hand after the shooting and bravely addressed his terrified congregants.
He recalled telling them: “We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall.
“We will not let anyone take us down.
“Terrorism like this will not take us down.”
The eight-year-old victim said she had just finished praying and was getting ready to go play with other children when gunshots rang out.
Her uncle rushed her and the other children outside, the girl said.
She suffered a gunshot wound to her leg but doctors told her she didn’t need surgery, she added.
Describing the horror, the girl said: “I was scared, really, really scared.
“I didn’t see my dad. I thought he was dead.”
President Donald Trump called Rabbi Goldstein yesterday to express his condolences.
The White House said in a statement: “The President expressed his love for the Jewish people and the entire community of Poway.”
Mr Goldstein said President Trump was comforting and spoke about his love of peace, Judaism and Israel.
SICK ‘MANIFESTO’
Detectives are poring through Earnest’s social media posts – including what he described as a “manifesto.”
In the virulently anti-Jewish and racist screed, the author said he drew inspiration from the suspect behind Christchurch mosque massacre last month that left 50 dead.
He also claimed responsibility for an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24.
Earnest, who had no previous contact with law enforcement, is expected to face a hate crime charge in addition to homicide charges later this week.
California State University, San Marcos, confirmed that Earnest was a student who was on the dean’s list.
A spokesman said the school was “dismayed and disheartened” that Earnest was suspected in “this despicable act.”
MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS
Dozens of mourners wearing black gathered on a street corner in Poway last night to show their support for the victims.
They carried signs reading “no more killing” and “Shalom.”
A young boy sat with a cardboard sign reading “we must do better”.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.