A quiet Monday in San Diego turned tragic after a deadly shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego left three men dead. The attack happened on May 18 near the mosque and Al Rashid School in the Clairemont neighborhood.
Authorities identified the suspects as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez. Police say the teens opened fire outside the mosque before later being found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle nearby.
Among the victims were mosque security guard Amin Abdullah, a father of eight who reportedly tried to stop the attackers from entering the school, and teacher Mohamed Nader, who rushed toward the building to check on his wife after hearing gunfire.
Investigators are treating the case as a possible hate crime after anti-Islamic writings and hateful messages were allegedly found in the suspects’ vehicle. Police also revealed Clark’s mother had reported him missing hours before the attack, saying he had taken her car and firearms.
Community leaders condemned the violence, calling for unity and tolerance. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria stated, “Hate has no home in San Diego,” while Islamic Center leaders described the tragedy as a painful reminder of growing religious intolerance.