Two teenage gunmen opened fire Monday at a San Diego mosque, killing three men before dying of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds a few blocks away.
An active shooter was reported at the Islamic Center of San Diego shortly before noon. Once officers arrived, three people had already been killed and the two suspects were found dead in a vehicle soon after. Although there was no targeted threat against the mosque, authorities say they found evidence of hate rhetoric and anti-Islamic sentiment.
Federal authorities are investigating the shooting as a hate crime after finding a manifesto by the suspects, that had hate speech against various races and religions.
Among the victims is a security guard at the center who played a key role in ensuring that the shooting didn’t end up much worse, as children and teachers were playing outside at the time.
The guard, Amin Abdullah, had been working at the center for more than a decade. He is now being hailed a hero after saving 200 people. A Go Fund Me campaign for his family has exceeded $2 million.
“It’s fair to say his actions were heroic,” said the chief of police. “Undoubtedly he saved lives today.”
Imam Taha Hassane lauded Abdullah as a faithful man who treated everyone who came to the mosque with warmth.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Hawaa Abdullah paid an emotional tribute to her father, describing him as a loving protector, best friend, and role model. She began her remarks with a recitation from the Quran, breaking into tears before honoring his memory.
“My dad was the number one advocate for safety and keeping our community safe,” she said. “He stood against any form of hate. He took his job seriously to protect everyone here. He would want our community to stand together as one. That’s exactly what he would want.”
Two other men, Nadir Awad and Mansour Kaziha, were also killed. Awad was a neighbor and Kaziha a caretaker at the center.
In a heroic effort to draw the attackers away from the school, Awad and Kaziha were fatally shot in the mosque parking lot, according to authorities. Police confirmed that Kaziha was the first person to report the emergency to 911.
Imam Mohammad Faqih, who led the center tin decades past, said Kaziha has been a helpful presence at the mosque.
“I can’t even imagine the center without him,” he said. “All seven imams who served knew him well. He loved us all and respected us immensely.”
Awad wasn’t just a neighbor, but the husband of one of the teachers at the Islamic school. He would attend prayer at the center daily, according to Imam Hassane.
A separate fund to assist the families of the deceased is also taking donations on Go Fund Me.
