San Diego Mosque Shooting Kills 3 Men, Prompting Hate Crime Probe
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 19
San Diego Mosque Shooting Kills 3 Men, Prompting Hate Crime Probe
10 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Three men killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego were identified Tuesday as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, with Muslim leaders honoring them as heroes who protected others.
Authorities said two teenagers opened fire at the mosque on Monday, killing the three men before taking their own lives in a vehicle blocks away.
Abdullah, the center's security guard, was shot at least twice but still went inside to warn worshippers, while Awad was credited with turning community members away from danger.
Kaziha, known as Abu Ezz, had managed the mosque store for nearly 40 years and was remembered as a longtime community leader, husband, father and grandfather.
The killings are being investigated as a hate crime and have renewed concerns about Islamophobia in the United States.
With teen radicalization growing online, are current prevention strategies enough to stop the next real-world tragedy?
When does a hate crime become terrorism, and does the label change how we prevent future attacks?
Tragedy at the Islamic Center of San Diego: 3 Dead in Hate-Motivated Shooting, Investigation and Community Outcry
Overview
On May 18, 2026, a tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego left three people dead and the community in shock. Police responded quickly, launching a thorough investigation into the attack. The victims were identified as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad. Two teenage suspects, Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez, were found dead nearby soon after the incident. The shooters also targeted a landscaper working near the center. Authorities are treating the case as a hate crime, highlighting the serious impact of the violence and the urgent need for unity and prevention efforts in the community.