Tragedy at Islamic Center of San Diego: Three Killed in Hate Crime Attack
Two teenagers, armed with firearms and fueled by white supremacist ideology, attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men before dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The suspects' actions were reportedly motivated by white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies.
Incident Timeline
The attack occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m. Pacific time. According to police reports, the sequence of events began earlier that morning:
- At around 9:40 a.m., Clark's mother contacted police to report her son missing, possibly suicidal, and that he had taken her vehicle and multiple weapons.
- Approximately two hours later, the suspects arrived at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
- Security guard Amin Abdullah confronted the suspects as they attempted to enter the facility. He exchanged gunfire with the attackers and initiated a lockdown via radio before being killed.
Police stated his actions prevented the attackers from reaching areas where approximately 140 children and 20 staff members were present.
- The suspects entered the building but found no one due to the lockdown. They then exited and fatally shot two other men in the parking lot.
- The suspects fled in a vehicle, stopping a few blocks away. One suspect fatally shot the other before taking his own life.
The Victims
Three men were killed in the attack:
Amin Abdullah (also known as Brian Climax), 51 — A security guard at the Islamic Center and father of eight. Police stated his actions likely prevented further casualties by delaying the attackers and directing a lockdown.
Mansour Kaziha, 78 — A long-time member of the Islamic Center who served as the mosque's handyman and store manager. He had been a fixture at the center since the 1980s.
Nader Awad (also referred to as Nadir Awad), 57 — A daily attendee at the mosque whose wife worked as a teacher at the center's school. He lived across the street and ran toward the mosque after hearing gunfire.
A landscaper was also shot at but not seriously injured.
The Suspects and Their Background
Caleb Liam Vazquez (18)
Vazquez was flagged to law enforcement in January 2025 for exhibiting alarming behavior and allegedly idolizing Nazis and mass shooters. Police obtained a gun violence restraining order against his father, Marco Vazquez, leading to the confiscation of 26 to 29 registered firearms from the father's possession.
Court filings indicate Vazquez was placed on a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold prior to the attack.
His family stated he was on the autism spectrum, resented parts of his identity, and attributed his radicalization to exposure to hateful rhetoric and extremist content online.
Cain Lee Clark (17)
Clark was a high school senior enrolled in a virtual school in the San Diego Unified School District. He had no disciplinary record and participated in wrestling. According to law enforcement, Clark's mother reported missing weapons on the day of the attack.
Radicalization and Ideology
Authorities stated the suspects met online and were radicalized by hate. Investigators recovered a 75-page document (referred to as a manifesto) from the scene.
The document reportedly contained white supremacist, neo-Nazi, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, misogynistic, anti-Hispanic, anti-Black, and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
The suspects referred to themselves as "Sons of Tarrant," referencing Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand. The attack was livestreamed, and symbols associated with Nazism and white supremacy were reportedly visible on the suspects' weapons and clothing.
Evidence and Investigation
- The FBI and local police recovered 30 firearms and a crossbow from residences linked to the investigation, including from the parents of one suspect.
- A recording of the livestream of the attack was reviewed by multiple news outlets. Analysis indicates the suspects were on a video call with at least one other individual during the attack.
- A red gas container with a Nazi SS symbol was found near the suspects' vehicle.
- The FBI is investigating whether the suspects had broader plans. No specific threat against the Islamic Center had been identified before the attack.
Statements from Officials and Community
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated that the victims' actions "prevented the attack from escalating" and that the attack is being investigated as a hate crime.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily described the suspects' ideology as a "broad hatred" toward many groups and "nihilistic violent extremism."
Imam Taha Hassane identified the victims and stated the community had received hate mail and threats previously. He described the victims as "martyrs and heroes."
The Vazquez family, through attorney Colin Rudolph, issued a statement expressing regret and condemning the attack. They stated their son was exposed to "hateful rhetoric, extremist content, and propaganda" online.
Vice President JD Vance described the shooting as "reprehensible."
Broader Context
The attack occurred amid a reported rise in threats and hate crimes targeting Muslim and Jewish communities in the United States since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recorded 8,683 anti-Muslim complaints in 2025 — the highest number since the organization began tracking in 1996.
The Anti-Defamation League recorded 139 antisemitic incidents in San Diego County in 2025, a 150% increase from the previous year.
Aftermath and Memorials
An Islamic funeral prayer (Janazah) for the three victims was held at a park in San Diego on Thursday, attended by over 2,000 people. An interfaith vigil was also held nearby.
A fundraiser for the victims' families raised nearly $3 million.
The Islamic Center resumed five daily prayers, but the administration office, playgrounds, and school were closed. School staff planned to provide closure for students for the remainder of the academic year.