(Image source from: Latestly.com)

A 19-year-old man in San Diego on Saturday opened fire at a synagogue killing one woman and injuring three others.

The incidentwas reported on the last day of the Jewish festival of Passover.

The accused was taken into custody after he dialed 911 and confessed to having attacked the Chabad of Poway, said police chief David Nisleit.

Nisleit told reporters that the accused fired at the synagogue and subsequently fled using his car. An off-duty patrol officer fired at him to prevent him from fleeing. However, the teenager escaped on to the highway and raced away.

The accused dialed 911 shortly and gave his location and when the police team approached, he surrendered himself cordially. The officers found an AR-type rifle in the front passenger seat of his car.

President Donald Trump expressed sorrow over the attack, saying that it prima facie appears to be a hate crime. "At this moment it looks like a hate crime, but my deepest sympathies to all those affected and we'll get to the bottom of it," he said.

"We're some doing very heavy research", the President added, "We'll see what happens, what comes up. At this moment it looks like a hate crime, but my deepest sympathies to all those affected and we'll get to the bottom of it. It looks like the person was apprehended."

Among those injured include the rabbi, who sustained injuries on his hand, along with another worshipper who is said to be critically injured. They have been admitted to Palomar Health Medical Center Hospital, spokesman Derryl Acosta said.

By Sowmya Sangam