Arabic version: إطلاق نار في مسجد سان دييغو مرتبط بمراهقين تم تطرفهم عبر الإنترنت

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were responsible for a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, rushing toward the mosque “fully armored” with handguns and rifles. According to The Guardian, a security guard named Amin Abdullah attempted to intervene, shooting one of the assailants before being killed himself. Abdullah’s actions were credited with preventing further casualties, as he alerted school administrators to go into lockdown.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of three individuals: the guard and two victims, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad, who were reportedly on the phone with police during the attack. Witnesses described the scene, and police later found the shooters dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds near the mosque.

The FBI revealed that the shooters had been radicalized online and had a manifesto expressing a “broad hatred” toward various races and religions. Investigators discovered 30 firearms, tactical gear, and writings outlining their extremist beliefs during searches of their residences. The firearms used in the attack were registered to one of the shooters’ parents.

Before the attack, the mother of one of the shooters had contacted police, expressing concerns that her son was suicidal and potentially armed. Law enforcement officials were actively searching for the teenagers when the shooting occurred. The FBI is continuing its investigation and has opened a tip line for further information.

The Islamic Center has referred to the three victims as “three heroes martyred” and initiated a fundraiser for their families. The center also conducts active-shooter drills regularly, which reportedly contributed to saving lives during the incident. Five nearby public schools were placed on lockdown during the attack, ensuring the safety of students in the area.