Vazquez Family Condemns Islamic Center Shooting, Citing 3 Deaths and Online Radicalization
Updated
Updated · ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV · May 22
Vazquez Family Condemns Islamic Center Shooting, Citing 3 Deaths and Online Radicalization
10 articles · Updated · ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV · May 22
Thursday night, Caleb Vazquez's family publicly denounced the Islamic Center of San Diego attack, saying no apology could repair the harm and mourning the three people killed while honoring them for preventing more deaths.
In the statement, the family said Vazquez was on the autism spectrum, struggled with parts of his identity, and was pulled toward violent beliefs by hateful rhetoric, extremist content and propaganda online.
The family said it had urged him to seek help and that he had voluntarily spent time in multiple rehabilitation centers, but those efforts failed to stop what they called a descent into radicalized ideology.
The statement also stressed that the family includes immigrants and Muslims, rejected any alignment with Vazquez's beliefs, and warned that online spaces normalizing hatred can turn isolation and anger into violence.
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Tragedy at the Islamic Center of San Diego: How Online Extremism Fueled the May 18, 2026 Attack and What Comes Next
Overview
On May 18, 2026, two teenagers, Caleb Vazquez and Cain Clark, carried out a deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, resulting in the deaths of three individuals before taking their own lives. Law enforcement responded quickly and discovered a manifesto linked to the attackers, prompting an ongoing investigation into possible additional involvement. The attack was the result of a radicalization process, with both teens embracing extremist ideologies online. This tragedy highlights the dangers of online hate, the vulnerability of youth to radicalization, and the urgent need for stronger community support and security measures.