San Diego Mosque Attack Kills Three Before Suspects Die by Suicide

Two teenagers opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men before dying by suicide, authorities said. The FBI identified the suspects as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18. Investigators recovered at least 30 guns, ammunition and a crossbow from two residences and said the pair left writings expressing hatred toward Jewish people, Muslims, the LGBTQ+ community, Black people, women and both political sides.

FBI agent Mark Remily said the two met online and referred to themselves as “Sons of Tarrant,” a reference to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. One writing called for Muslims to be “exterminated.” Remily told reporters authorities are still investigating how the radicalization occurred and whether the pair had broader plans.

Wahl said security guard Amin Abdullah engaged the suspects in a gunbattle and delayed them long enough to protect 140 schoolchildren inside the building. The other victims were identified as Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad. Imam Taha Hassane said Kaziha served as handyman, cook and caretaker at the center.

Officers were searching for the pair when the shooting began. The Islamic Center, San Diego’s largest mosque, had received hate mail in the past but had no specific prior threat, police said. Muslim American organizations noted rising anti-Muslim rhetoric since the start of the Middle East conflict.

Neighbors described Clark as a high school senior who had attended classes online since 2021 and participated on the wrestling team with no disciplinary record.