Monday, May 18th of 2026, gunshots were heard outside of the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD). Mosque security guard Amin Abdullah, 51, quickly noticed the suspicious behavior and immediately honed in on the situation in an attempt to prevent an attack. The two teen shooters, identified as Cain Lee Clark, 17, and Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, reportedly met online and exchanged radical ideas (San Diego Union Tribune). They engaged in gunfire with Abdullah, who immediately radioed for those inside to enter lockdown. His actions bought time and likely saved the lives of hundreds within the mosque and its attached school.
Abdullah was reportedly hit by at least two gunshots. Even after being wounded, he managed to get back up and enter the mosque after seeing the teens go inside. Abdullah would later succumb to his injuries, still attempting to stop the shooting after being shot himself.
The teens were later lured outside by two men, later identified as mosque schoolteacher Mohamed Nader, 57, and mosque caretaker Mansour Kaziha, 78 (TIME). The shooters then shot and killed both men in the parking lot, where all three victims were later found by police while clearing the building.
Shortly after fleeing the mosque crime scene as police began to arrive, the teens allegedly carried out a drive-by shooting on an unidentified landscaper only a few blocks away from the mosque. The landscaper was reportedly shot in the head, but a helmet absorbed most of the impact, likely saving his life and leaving him with non-fatal injuries.
The shooters were later found deceased in the white BMW they were driving, approximately half a mile from the mosque. Investigators believe one of the shooters shot the other before turning the gun on himself.
One of the shooters’ mothers reported her son, vehicle, and three weapons missing just hours before the attack (New York Times). She stated that he had expressed suicidal ideations and feared that he may try to take his own life. Neighbors reportedly saw him driving away in his mother’s white BMW while wearing camouflage and possibly accompanied by a friend.
Within both the car and the shooters’ homes, authorities recovered numerous weapons, including the three stolen firearms, crossbows, pistols, rifles, shotguns, tactical gear, and ammunition (NBC San Diego). Hate speech was reportedly written on at least one weapon, and several neo-Nazi symbols were found within the car and on the shooters’ belongings, including a Sonnenrad patch and an Atomwaffen Division flag.
A 75-page manifesto was later found online containing anti-Islamic, antisemitic, homophobic, racist, and extremist views. Within the manifesto, the shooters praised other mass shooters and expressed anti-Trump sentiment. Their social media accounts were also discovered (Los Angeles Times), showing support for white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo-Nazi terrorism.
In the aftermath, ICSD Imam Taha Hassane confirmed the safety of students, teachers, staff members, and worshippers besides the three victims. New York police also announced increased security around mosques throughout the city. Imam Hassane stated that it was “extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria asserted that “no one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith,” adding that “anyone who seeks to do harm here (…) will be brought to justice” (KPBS).
Victims’ families, fellow worshippers, and loved ones tearfully recalled the heroism of the three men, all of whom did everything they could to stop the shooters before losing their lives. Their actions undoubtedly saved countless people, including the hundreds of students, teachers, worshippers, and mosque staff members inside the building. Abdullah’s daughter even told reporters that her father would sometimes skip meals while on duty because he feared “something bad would happen” (CNN). The bravery and sacrifice of these three victims will forever be remembered by the many lives they helped save that day.
Racial and religious violence has continued to rise in America. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement saying that 2025 recorded the highest annual number of complaints involving bias and discrimination against Muslims in the United States, with this attack only worsening fear within Islamic communities nationwide (CBS).
People can help fight religious and racial discrimination, as well as Islamophobia (Loma Linda University Health), by combating misinformation, speaking up for those who may not be heard, and using their voices to promote equality, understanding, and peace among different races and religions.
