The attorney for the family of the alleged shooter in Saturday’s synagogue shooting released a blistering statement on Monday on behalf of the man’s parents, condemning their son’s actions and distancing themselves from the “darkness” that drove him to attack the congregants.
“To our great shame, he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries,” the Earnest family wrote. “Our son’s actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold. Like our other five children, he was raised in a family, a faith and a community that all rejected hate and taught that love must be the motive for everything we do. How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, though we are confident that law enforcement will uncover many details of the path that he took to this evil and despicable act.”
The family also asked for privacy and said they wouldn’t be commenting further until after the case was “resolved.”
One woman was killed and several were injured when a gunman opened fire at the synagogue on the final day of Passover. The woman who was killed, Lori Gilbert Kaye, died shielding the rabbi from the gunfire.
Statement from the family of John T. Earnest. The Earnest Family does not anticipate giving any more public statements on this matter until after the criminal case is resolved. Please direct all inquiries to their attorney, Earll M. Pott at (619) 239-8131. pic.twitter.com/81662R7Egy
— Klinedinst PC (@klinedinstlaw) April 29, 2019
