San Diego Mosque Attack Kills Three Who Tried to Stop Gunmen

Three men were killed Monday morning in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that authorities are investigating as a hate crime after police discovered anti-Islamic writings and a manifesto filled with hatred toward multiple races and religions.

The victims, identified by mosque officials as security guard Amin Abdullah, 78-year-old Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad, were shot outside the front of the mosque complex in the Clairemont neighborhood shortly before midday prayers. Abdullah, a father of eight, confronted the attackers and is credited with preventing far greater casualties. He alerted staff inside to go into lockdown before he was killed. Imam Taha Hassane described him as having sacrificed his life, saying the carnage would have been much worse without his actions. Kaziha, a longtime mosque employee originally from Syria and a pillar of the community who handled daily operations and Ramadan meals, was on the phone with police when he was shot. Awad was similarly engaged in calling authorities.

The two suspects, identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle several blocks away after police received reports of shots fired at a nearby landscaper. Investigators recovered writings in the car expressing anti-Islamic views along with firearms marked with hate speech. The FBI said the pair had met and been radicalized online, and agents seized 30 firearms, a crossbow, tactical gear and electronics from related residences. Special Agent Mark Remily noted the manifesto outlined broad hatred and ideologies about how the attackers envisioned the world should look.

Police had already been searching for the pair after Clark's mother called authorities around 9:42 a.m. to report that her son had run away with a friend, taken multiple weapons and her car, and appeared suicidal. The teens were wearing camouflage clothing. Officers responded to the mosque at 11:43 a.m. and found the three victims within minutes. No officers fired their weapons during the response.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the incident would be treated as a hate crime until evidence showed otherwise, and Democratic Mayor Todd Gloria confirmed the presence of hate rhetoric. The mosque has called the victims heroes and martyrs while launching a fundraiser for their families. Community members described the attack as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of anti-Muslim violence in the United States.

Investigators continue to examine the full scope of the suspects' online activity and writings as the FBI maintains a tip line for public information.