'He was full of affection': Mother and father of dentist killed in El Cajon taking pictures honor son's legacy

EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — An allegedly disgruntled former affected person of an El Cajon dental clinic accused of bursting into the workplace final week and taking pictures three staff, together with a younger dentist who died, pleaded not responsible Tuesday to homicide and tried homicide fees.

The suspect, 29-year-old Mohammed Abdulkareem, is accused of gunning down dentist Benjamin Harouni, 28, and two different staff of Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics final Thursday.

Prosecutors mentioned Abdulkareem fired at the least 23 rounds. He faces life in jail if convicted on all fees.  

ABC 10News reporter Madison Weil spoke with the heartbroken mother and father of Harouni — hoping for justice for his or her son.

“It’s been hell…I can not cease enthusiastic about him,” mentioned Jack Harouni, Benjamin’s father. “I can’t cease dreaming about him strolling by way of the door and giving me a hug.”

Family members describe Benjamin as a form, clever younger dentist with a ardour for serving to underserved communities.

“He all the time wished to assist others. His ardour was that. He all the time wished love. He was full of affection,” mentioned his father.

“All people liked him … from college administration to academics,” mentioned Hilda Harouni, Benjamin’s mom. “It’s a must to see the emails I’m getting. His third grade trainer was on the funeral.”

Benjamin is the oldest of three sons of their household. He graduated from College of Southern California and the Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty of Dentistry on the College of the Pacific. He labored alongside his dad at Smile Plus Dentistry.

“He was my son … He was my pal and my accomplice. I’ve misplaced three individuals in a single. I don’t understand how I can get better,” mentioned his father. “To be taken down at this place the place he was doing good … is simply an atrocity.”

Benjamin’s mother and father say he stood for peace and love in the neighborhood — they usually plan to hold on his legacy.

“That gap in my coronary heart won’t ever be crammed. However I don’t want this ache … not even on his killer’s mom. I don’t want it on her,” mentioned Benjamin’s mom.

Whereas police mentioned based mostly on their preliminary investigation into Thursday’s taking pictures, they don’t consider this was a racially or religiously motivated act.

Prosecutors on Tuesday mentioned it’s one thing they are going to proceed to analyze totally.

Benjamin’s mother and father mentioned they’re trusting the justice system to do its job. And within the meantime, if there’s one factor that the group can do to honor their son, it could be to do one thing type — identical to Benjamin would.

“He was massive on paying it ahead. Do one thing for another person. So I feel if everybody practices that, there may be hope,” mentioned Jack Harouni.

The household has made a GoFundMe web page to assist begin a basis in Benjamin’s honor with the purpose of “supporting households affected by violent crimes, providing them much-needed counseling and help, significantly for individuals who lack the assets to entry these providers.”