San Diego Mosque Shooters Left 75-Page White Nationalist Manifesto After Killing 3
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 20
San Diego Mosque Shooters Left 75-Page White Nationalist Manifesto After Killing 3
6 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 20
A 75-page manifesto tied to the two San Diego Islamic Center shooters preached anti-Islam, antisemitic and white nationalist violence, with investigators also examining linked social media accounts and possible attack video.
Cain Lee Clark, 17, and Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, were identified as the gunmen who killed three people Monday before dying by self-inflicted gunshot wounds as police closed in.
The writings invoked Brenton Tarrant and other mass killers, endorsed race war and societal collapse, and echoed the “great replacement” theory, while one suspect described himself as a “Christian EcoFascist.”
Federal agents have executed 3 search warrants and seized more than 30 firearms, ammunition, tactical gear and electronics as they investigate the attack as a likely hate crime and trace the pair’s online radicalization.
Experts said the case fits a broader pattern of extremist youth recycling manifestos, memes and livestream-style propaganda from earlier white supremacist and neo-Nazi attacks.
Are social media algorithms creating a new generation of domestic terrorists?
How does online misogyny escalate into real-world white supremacist violence?
Why are we failing to stop radicalized teens, even with clear warning signs?
The 2026 San Diego Mosque Shooting: Timeline, Motive, and Policy Implications of a Deadly Extremist Attack
Overview
The San Diego mosque shooting began on May 18, 2026, targeting an Islamic Center and quickly became an evolving crisis. Immediate, high-level responses followed, with Governor Gavin Newsom promptly briefed and his Office of Emergency Services coordinating with local law enforcement. The Governor’s team publicly thanked first responders and urged the public to follow official guidance to ensure safety. News updates continued into the next day, reflecting the ongoing and dynamic nature of the situation. This swift and coordinated response highlighted the seriousness of the attack and the commitment to protecting the community during a time of crisis.