Four people have been shot, including one fatally, after a gunman stormed a synagogue in the USA.
Officers found four people with gunshot injuries when they arrived at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue near San Diego, California earlier today.
The 19-year-old suspect, John T. Earnest, who was heavily armed and wearing tactical gear, tried to flee the scene but later surrendered himself to police.
Officers are treating the attack as an anti-semitic hate crime.
Members of the congregation are believed to have prevented a 'bloodbath' by tackling the him to the ground, according to MSNBC.
Four people were then taken to Palomar Medical Center where one woman was confirmed dead.
The other victims include two adult men and a young girl.
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Rabbi Yisorel Goldstein, who founded the synagogue in 1986, is also reported to have been caught up in the shooting.
The incident took place at around 11.30am local time (7.30pm UK) as the synagogue prepared to hold services for the Jewish sabbath.
"The shooter is someone with hate in their heart toward the Jewish community", the mayor Steve Vaus said.
"All of the faith communities here are like family," he added.
"Just a week ago we had an interfaith gathering to find common ground. So for this to happen only a week later, at the end of the passover, only a week after Easter, is horrific."
Officers have now been dispatched to other places of worship as a precaution.
He told CNN: "I also understand from folks on the scene that this shooter was engaged by people in the congregation and those brave people certainly prevented this from being a much worse tragedy."
The synagogue had advertised a Passover Holiday Celebration scheduled to begin at 11 a.m, according to reports.
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One responding officer described the scene as "extremely chaotic" when they arrived at the scene following eyewitness reports of a man with a gun.
Police initially described the event as an "active shooter situation."
San Diego Sherrif's Office said on Twitter said: "A man has been detained for questioning in connection with a shooting incident at the Chabad of Poway synagogue.
"Deputies were called to Chabad Way just before 11:30 a.m. There are injuries. This is a developing situation."
San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said on Twitter that his officers were assisting in the incident.
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"No known threats, however in an abundance of caution, we will be providing extra patrol at places of worship."
San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said officers were also investigating a possible connection to an arson that caused damage to a mosque last month.
Representative Scott Peters said: "Tragic news that a gunman has attacked Chabad of Poway synagogue, on this, the last day of Passover, a day that is supposed to be a celebration of faith and freedom. I am thinking of, and praying for, those hurt and affected."
The incident took place in the suburb of Poway which is located some 25 miles northwest of San Diego and home to 48,000 residents.
Last year a gunman killed 11 people during a prayer service at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in another anti-semitic mass shooting.
The shooter reportedly screamed "All Jews must die" as he opened fire and killed eight inside the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue.
Robert Bowers, 46, was arrested and taken into custody and charged with 29 federal offences.
