SAN DIEGO (RTWnews) — Two teenagers who shot and killed three people in an attack on a California mosque were radicalized online where they first met and shared white supremacist views, according to authorities. The pair “didn’t discriminate on who they hated,” said Mark Remily, the lead FBI agent in San Diego. Investigators found 30 guns, ammunition, and a crossbow at two residences after the attack, and the shooters, Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, killed themselves.
The writings they authored include hateful rhetoric toward Jewish people, Muslims, Islam, the LGBTQ+ community, Black people, women, and both political sides. Both expressed beliefs that white people are being eliminated, with one detailing mental health struggles and rejection by women. Authorities confirmed the suspects referred to themselves as “Sons of Tarrant,” referencing Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant. They met online before discovering they both lived in San Diego.
Authorities praised the three men they killed—including beloved security guard Amin Abdullah—for slowing the attackers and preventing them from reaching 140 schoolchildren. Imam Taha Hassane said Abdullah engaged the suspects in a gunbattle and called for a lockdown on his radio. “He sacrificed his life to stop them from getting inside the classrooms,” Hassane stated. The pair wounded Abdullah, who kept firing until fatally shot outside. They then exited and fatally shot Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad in the parking lot, drawing them away from the building.
Kaziha, known as Abu Ezz, was “everything” to the Islamic Center. “He was the handyman. He was the cook. He was the caretaker,” Hassane said. Abdullah had worked at the mosque for over a decade. “He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard,” said family friend Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq.
The shooting represents the latest in a string of attacks on houses of worship amid rising anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish violence following Middle East conflicts. Muslim American organizations noted anti-Muslim rhetoric has surged in the U.S. The Islamic Center, which houses a school, sits in a neighborhood with Middle Eastern restaurants. “They’ve always opened their doors, even to people who aren’t Muslim, they invite people to Ramadan dinners,” said Josie-Ana Edenshaw, a mosque-goer.
The center’s imam revealed they were used to receiving hate mail and messages, but such a “horrible crime” was unexpected. Neighbors described Clark, who was seen last hours before the attack, as a helpful community member. James Canning, San Diego Unified School District spokesperson, noted Clark had no disciplinary issues but was set to graduate in June. He was a wrestling team member in 2024.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Nadir Awad’s first name. It’s Nadir, not Nader.}
The writings they authored include hateful rhetoric toward Jewish people, Muslims, Islam, the LGBTQ+ community, Black people, women, and both political sides. Both expressed beliefs that white people are being eliminated, with one detailing mental health struggles and rejection by women. Authorities confirmed the suspects referred to themselves as “Sons of Tarrant,” referencing Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant. They met online before discovering they both lived in San Diego.
Authorities praised the three men they killed—including beloved security guard Amin Abdullah—for slowing the attackers and preventing them from reaching 140 schoolchildren. Imam Taha Hassane said Abdullah engaged the suspects in a gunbattle and called for a lockdown on his radio. “He sacrificed his life to stop them from getting inside the classrooms,” Hassane stated. The pair wounded Abdullah, who kept firing until fatally shot outside. They then exited and fatally shot Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad in the parking lot, drawing them away from the building.
Kaziha, known as Abu Ezz, was “everything” to the Islamic Center. “He was the handyman. He was the cook. He was the caretaker,” Hassane said. Abdullah had worked at the mosque for over a decade. “He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard,” said family friend Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq.
The shooting represents the latest in a string of attacks on houses of worship amid rising anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish violence following Middle East conflicts. Muslim American organizations noted anti-Muslim rhetoric has surged in the U.S. The Islamic Center, which houses a school, sits in a neighborhood with Middle Eastern restaurants. “They’ve always opened their doors, even to people who aren’t Muslim, they invite people to Ramadan dinners,” said Josie-Ana Edenshaw, a mosque-goer.
The center’s imam revealed they were used to receiving hate mail and messages, but such a “horrible crime” was unexpected. Neighbors described Clark, who was seen last hours before the attack, as a helpful community member. James Canning, San Diego Unified School District spokesperson, noted Clark had no disciplinary issues but was set to graduate in June. He was a wrestling team member in 2024.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Nadir Awad’s first name. It’s Nadir, not Nader.}
