Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein revealed during a press conference on Sunday he had received a call from President Trump, who offered his condolences for the victims of the attack at the synagogue.
Goldstein, who was wounded by the gunfire, said he was very grateful for the call. “I received a personal phone call from our President Donald Trump. I was amazed to answer the phone and say the secretary of the White House was calling and he spent close to 10, 15 minutes with me on the phone,” Goldstein said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever spoken to a president of the United States of America. He shared with me condolences on behalf of the United States of America.
“We spoke about the moment of silence and he spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel. He was just so comforting, I’m really grateful to our president for taking the time and share with us his comfort and consolation,” he said.
One person was killed and three people were wounded in the attack. The death toll was low because it appears the rifle jammed and because two members of the congregation confronted the shooter.
Oscar Stewart, a military veteran, ran toward the gunfire and shouted at the shooter to distract him. Stewart chased him out of the synagogue to the gunman’s car, where an off-duty Border Patrol agent then shot at the car as he sped away. The shooter later called police to turn himself in and was arrested.
