News Sparks: Chabad Poway Shooter Sentenced to Life; Gathering Banned for Yuhrzeit of Baba Sali, Z’L

Shooter at Chabad of Poway, Calif., Sentenced to Life In Prison, Plus 30 Years

John T. Earnest, who, after several weeks of planning, entered the Chabad of Poway, Calif, on the last day of Pesach on April 27, 2019, opened fire, and killed shul member Lori Kaye, injured three others, including the shul’s rabbi and an eight-year-old, and attempted to kill 50 more: including the shul’s children’s group outside, was sentenced today in the Southern District of California to life followed by 30 years in prison.

Earnest entered the shul, which was full of mispallim, armed with a Smith and Wesson M&P 15 assault rifle that was fully loaded with a 10-round magazine, only stopped shooting when one congregant screamed at him so loudly that Earnest got scared and ran away.

“All people deserve to live and worship peacefully,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant’s conduct was an attempt to damage what makes our nation so great: our diversity. The Department of Justice stands with our Jewish and Muslim community members, we reject hate in all forms, and we are committed to prosecuting bias-motivated violence to the fullest extent.”

Gazan Sniper Opens Fire at Israelis Working on the Gaza Border

A Gazan sniper instigated rivalry with Israelis working on the Gaza border by firing shots at them. One of the workers was lightly injured with a gunshot wound in his leg. 

In response, the IDF counter-attacked Hamas bases in the Strip, injuring three Hamas terrorists.

Surrounding Israeli farmers were instructed to evacuate the area until further notice.

Israeli Police Ban Gathering for Yuhrtzeit of Baba Sali, Z”l

Israeli Police announced a ban on any gathering that is set to take place at the Yuhrtzeit of the famous Kabbalist known as the Baba Sali, Z"l, which falls out next week, due to security concerns as a large crowd is expected under regular circumstances.  

The Sefardi Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef decried the decision and called on the Israeli government to allow those willing to visit the gravesite in Netivot to do so in an orderly manner.

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Dies at Age 82

Democratic Senator Harry Reid was a boxer, a U.S. Capitol Police officer, and headed the Nevada Gaming Commission – all before joining the Senate in 1987. He then went on to win four additional senate campaigns and became the Senate Majority Leader in 2007.

Reid helped execute President Barack Obama’s agenda on health care and changed Senate rules regarding the filibuster among his other accomplishments.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Reid "a dear friend and a giant of our history."

Photos by: Flickr