A security guard hailed as a hero lost his life in a tragic incident where two teenage gunmen opened fire at a mosque in San Diego, resulting in three fatalities. The guard, along with two others, was fatally shot at The Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18.
The alleged teenage gunmen, identified as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, were later discovered dead in a vehicle with self-inflicted wounds. Authorities credited the guard for playing a crucial role in preventing a more severe outcome during the attack.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl commended the guard’s courageous actions, stating that he undoubtedly saved lives that day. The identities of the victims, including the guard, have not been disclosed yet.
The incident is under investigation as a hate crime. Images from the scene depict a significant police presence around the mosque, with families seen fleeing the area in fear.
Chief Wahl revealed that the mother of one of the teenagers had contacted the police earlier in the day, reporting her son missing along with several weapons and her vehicle. She had also discovered a note containing hateful language, though there was no specific threat targeting the Islamic Center of San Diego.
The Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County, houses the Al Rashid School, offering educational programs in Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Quran teachings for students aged five and above.
Police responded swiftly to reports of an active shooter, arriving within four minutes of the emergency call. Gunshots were heard nearby, but no injuries were reported except for a landscaper who was shot at but unharmed. The gunmen were later found deceased in a vehicle parked on a nearby street.
Imam Taha Hassane, the mosque’s director, condemned the attack as a despicable act of targeting a place of worship, emphasizing the need for safeguarding all places of worship in the city.
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