Key Takeaways
A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego left five people dead, including two teenage gunmen, in an attack authorities are investigating as a hate crime based on anti-Islamic writings found at the scene.
"We have never experienced tragedy like this before," said Taha Hassane, imam and director of the mosque. "It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship."
The suspects, identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, killed three adult men, including a security guard, before being found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The attack occurred while a school at the mosque was in session, but no children were harmed.
The incident, which involved a runaway teen reported by his own mother hours earlier, raises urgent questions about hate-motivated violence and firearm access, prompting increased security at mosques nationwide.
The attack on Monday, May 18, unfolded shortly before midday. According to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, the mother of one of the teens called police around 9:40 a.m. to report her son was missing with her vehicle and several weapons, and had described him as suicidal. Police began a search, but received reports of a shooting at the mosque before they could locate the teenagers.
One of the victims was identified as Amin Abdullah, a longtime security guard at the center. Chief Wahl said Abdullah’s “heroic” actions in confronting the gunmen were pivotal in saving lives, particularly giving staff time to lock down the on-site school where children were attending class. Two other adult men were also killed.
After the initial attack, the gunmen reportedly shot at a landscaper a few blocks away, who was not injured, before they were found dead in their vehicle. A law enforcement source confirmed that investigators found anti-Islamic writings and a suicide note referencing racial pride inside the vehicle.
The FBI is assisting the San Diego Police Department in the investigation, which is being treated as a hate crime. The shooting has sent shockwaves through the local Muslim community and prompted calls for increased security at places of worship. "We want to communicate without creating unnecessary panic, because at the end of the day we have to live our lives and come to the mosque freely and take our kids to school,” said Hussam Ayloush, head of the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
