LOS ANGELES—The aftermath of a fatal attack at an Islamic center has left the community shocked.  The Southern California community of San Diego has been devastated by the actions of two teenage suspects who reportedly killed three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego (the Center) on May 18. 

According to the San Diego Police Department, Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, and Cain Lee Clark, 17, parked in the center’s lot and ran past Amin Abdullah, a security guard, and engaged in gunfire with him. Mr. Abdullah returned gunfire and initiated lockdown protocols for the Center via his radio before being fatally shot and killed by the suspects.

Mr. Abdullah’s actions delayed and deterred access to the greater area of the facility, said police.  After encountering the security guard, the suspects entered the building, accessed a few empty areas and rooms, and exited through a door back into the parking lot.

There, they encountered 78-year-old Mansour Kaziha, caretaker and founding member of the Center, and 57-year-old Nadir Awad, husband of a teacher at the Center, who ran there to help after hearing shots fired.

“All three of our victims did not die in vain. Without distracting the attention, without delaying the actions of these two individuals, without question, there would have been many more fatalities yesterday,” said Police Chief Scott Wahl during a press update on May 19.

“Active shooter,” would reportedly be some of the final words mouthed by 51-year-old security guard Amin Abdullah, attempting to protect the Center, students and staff from the gunmen. 

And so, he did. “It’s fair to say his actions were heroic,” said Police Chief Wahl during the news conference. “Undoubtedly, he saved lives today.”

“To Allah (God) we belong and to Him we return,” said Hawaa Abdullah, Mr. Abdullah’s daughter, reciting from Surah (Chapter) 2, Ayat (Verse) 156 from the Holy Qur’an, the book of scripture of Muslims, to news media May 19. 

“Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits,” she recited from Surah 33, Ayat 23 (Al-Ahzab – The Allies). “He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and uncle.  To me, my dad was a role model. He was a best friend.  He was the absolute best dad in the world. He was my protector,” said Hawaa Abdullah.

He taught her brothers how to be young, Black, Muslim men and advocated for their education.

“Not only was he an amazing father, he was a good son,” she said, calling his mother every night to check on her.  He was also so vigilant in protecting not only his own children, but those at the Center.

He took his job so seriously to the point that sometimes, he wouldn’t even want to eat, his daughter recalled. “He wanted to save his food till after he left the job, because he was afraid that if he went on his break, something bad would happen,” she stated.

Her father was a staunch advocate for keeping his community safe and stood against any form of hate, she emphasized. “He would want our community to stand together as one … and I hope this moment.

We can all come together and to be kind to one another and remember who he truly was,” she continued, flanked by her weeping brothers and sisters, including biological and community members.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam, has condemned acts of senseless violence in America and has taught on the importance of protecting houses of worship, including churches, mosques, and synagogues.

Nation of Islam Student Minister Charles Muhammad, of Mosque No. 8 in San Diego, first offered condolences to the families of those slain in the tragedy, and to the Islamic Center and community in mourning.

“It was a terrible situation, seeing the children running out in the street and having the officers escort them down the way to reunite with their families, having to leave a place of comfort and security and go through that, it’s very traumatic,” he stated.

He reflected on the guidance of Minister Farrakhan, from the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. “He (the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad) taught us to say The Refuge Prayer at least seven times a day. 

We’re praying these prayers because we’re going to face some of these things, if not all, so seeking refuge from anxiety, from grief, that is really major,” said Student Min. Charles Muhammad.

After shooting Mr. Awad and Mr. Kaziha, police reported that the suspects then fled in their vehicle into the neighborhood, where they shot at the gardener, who was uninjured. Shortly thereafter, they shot and killed themselves in the vehicle, police reported.

According to a recent press update, police received a call at about 9:42 a.m. about a runaway juvenile and pieced together information from one of the suspect’s mothers and other callers.

“She believed her son was suicidal and shared information that several of her weapons were missing, along with her vehicle. … She also stated that he was with a companion, who was dressed in camouflage,” stated Chief Wahl.

As police worked to find the individuals, an active shooter call at the Center went out at approximately 11:42 a.m.

According to police, it is believed that the two suspects met online, realized they both lived in San Diego, and exchanged radicalized ideology. Writings found in the vehicle described hatred toward various religions, including Islam, and races, police said.

In addition, law enforcement has executed three search warrants at residences associated with the suspects, which found numerous firearms from two of those locations, including numerous pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, tactical gear,  a crossbow, and electronics.  

Search warrants have been executed on the electronic devices the suspects had with them at the time of the attack, and investigators are in the process of obtaining additional search warrants for other devices.

The San Diego Police Department, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is conducting extensive interviews with the suspects’ family and friends. Chief Wahl said the incident was being investigated as a hate crime.

Meanwhile, supporters have launched a campaign to raise money for the families of the shooting victims. 

“We call them our brothers in the community.  We call them our martyrs and our heroes,” said the Center’s Imam Taha Hassane, who became emotional, addressing members of the media on May 19.

If Mr. Abdullah had not sacrificed his life and slowed the suspects down, the carnage would be much worse, the two suspects would have had easy access to every single classroom, noted Imam Hassane. He spoke of Mr. Abdullah as a lovely person who never stopped smiling at anyone, including visitors. “We are so proud of him,” stated Imam Hassane.

Of  Mansour Kaziha, their elder, he stated, “He is the pillar of the Islamic Center of San Diego,” since 1986, when it first broke ground.  “He’s been at the Islamic Center for the last 40 years, working nonstop,” said Imam Hassane. “He was everything. … We miss him.”

When their neighbor, Mr. Awad, heard the shooting, he rushed to do something, to protect, added Imam Hassane.  “Both of them, they tried to do something. They were hiding in the parking lot, next to the kitchen, to try to protect.”

On May 19, hundreds of people attended an interfaith vigil at Lindbergh Park in Clairemont Mesa to honor the victims of the shooting and support their families and the community.

The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) invited people of all faiths to another interfaith vigil at the Islamic Society of Orange County on May 21 to honor the deceased, show support for their families, stand in solidarity with all those impacted by the attack, and learn about the connection between widespread anti-Muslim rhetoric and targeted acts of violence.

CAIR has also called on local police to step up security at mosques nationwide after the deadly terror attack in San Diego.

“This horrific terror attack is the deadly consequence of years of anti-Muslim hate, demonization and dangerous rhetoric targeting American Muslims and other marginalized communities.

Mosques and Islamic institutions across the country are facing heightened threats, and local law enforcement agencies must act immediately to increase patrols and coordinate with community leaders to help protect worshipers.

We also urge elected officials and public figures to stop fueling hatred and division that inevitably inspire acts of violence,” stated CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily reported during a press statement that investigators identified writings in the shooters’ vehicle that outlined various ideologies, including religious and racial beliefs, of how the world they envisioned should look. “These suspects did not discriminate on who they hated,” he said.

Palestinian American activist Linda Sarsour said, “This is a mosque that has opened its doors to the community,” in an interview with Democracy Now!

“This is the epitome of a mosque that shows our true values as Muslims, in community and in solidarity. So, it’s just devastating, and no house of worship should have to ever experience this,” added Ms. Sarsour, co-founder of the Muslim rights and advocacy group MPower Change.