3 Viewers Watched San Diego Mosque Attack Livestream as 2 Teen Gunmen Killed and Died
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 22
3 Viewers Watched San Diego Mosque Attack Livestream as 2 Teen Gunmen Killed and Died
9 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 22
At least three people watched the Islamic Center of San Diego attack live, with one viewer urging another to call police before the two teen gunmen died.
Screen recordings reviewed by CBS News show the shooters on a Signal video call with a user identified as Noelle, who also appeared to relay the feed to a Discord user, Otto, for real-time viewing and recording.
Five minutes after being told to alert authorities, Otto replied that it no longer mattered; by then 17-year-old Cain Clark had killed 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez and then himself.
Device details suggest some viewers may have been far from California, including one possibly in Albania, underscoring how the attack and its recording spread through online extremist networks.
Discord said it preserved and shared information with law enforcement and found no evidence the livestream originated on its platform, while researchers said the case highlights how violent extremist subcultures use mainstream tools to stage and amplify attacks.
How did a two-hour police warning fail to stop an attack broadcast on mainstream apps?
Are tech giants complicit in youth terror by providing services to extremist 'gore websites'?
How are memes and gaming servers becoming the primary tools for radicalizing isolated teenagers?
The San Diego Mosque Shooting of 2026: Unpacking Motives, Community Impact, and Policy Implications
Overview
On May 18, 2026, a violent attack at a San Diego mosque shocked the nation, drawing swift condemnation from leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump, and a strong response from community figures such as Imam Taha Hassane. Law enforcement agencies across major U.S. cities quickly increased security at religious sites, reflecting widespread concern for the safety of faith communities. This coordinated reaction highlighted the gravity of the event and the urgent need to protect places of worship, as the country united in support and vigilance following the tragedy.