A desperate phone call from the mother of one of the teenage suspects and a frantic police search unfolded just hours before the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, according to investigators examining what authorities believe was a planned hate crime and act of domestic terrorism.
Federal and local officials said the warning came before two heavily armed teenagers opened fire outside San Diego County’s largest mosque on Monday, killing three community members before taking their own lives.
The attack shocked communities across California and intensified concerns about online radicalization and extremist violence involving young people.
Mother Reportedly Warned Police Before Attack
Investigators said the mother of Cain Lee Clark, 17, contacted authorities earlier in the day to report that her son was missing, emotionally unstable, and believed to have taken multiple firearms from the family home.
According to law enforcement officials, Clark’s mother feared he might be suicidal and warned police that he had fled in her vehicle alongside another teenager later identified as Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18.
Authorities said officers attempted to locate the suspects after the call but were unable to find them before the shooting began.
Investigators are now reviewing the timeline of police communications, search efforts, and available warning signs leading up to the attack.
FBI Investigating Online Radicalization
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said preliminary evidence suggests the suspects became radicalized through extremist online content and private communications.
FBI Special Agent Mark Remily stated the two teenagers initially met online before discovering they both lived in the San Diego area. Authorities believe they later met in person and shared increasingly violent extremist ideology.
Investigators executing search warrants at multiple residences reportedly recovered more than 30 firearms, tactical gear, extremist writings, Nazi symbols, and a manifesto expressing racist, Islamophobic, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQ beliefs.
Officials also said the attackers appeared to have attempted to livestream parts of the assault.
Mosque Members Prevented Larger Massacre
Authorities credited the actions of mosque members and security personnel with preventing far greater loss of life.
Amin Abdullah, a 51-year-old father of eight working security at the mosque, confronted the attackers immediately after recognizing the threat.
Police said Abdullah exchanged gunfire with the suspects while simultaneously activating emergency lockdown procedures for the mosque’s adjacent elementary school, where approximately 140 children were sheltering.
Two additional victims — Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad — also helped divert the attackers away from classrooms by drawing attention toward the parking lot, investigators said.
Officials believe their actions prevented the gunmen from entering school areas filled with children.
Suspects Died After Fleeing Scene
After encountering resistance and lockdown measures, the suspects fled in their vehicle, authorities said.
Police later found both teenagers dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside the vehicle less than a quarter-mile from the mosque.
Investigators confirmed no children inside the school were physically injured during the attack.
Community Mourns Victims
Interfaith vigils and memorial gatherings have continued across San Diego as residents honor the victims and condemn the violence.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria described the men killed during the attack as examples of courage, compassion, and community service.
Civil rights organizations and Muslim advocacy groups have also renewed calls for stronger action against extremist radicalization and hate-driven violence targeting religious communities.
The FBI said the terrorism and hate crime investigation remains ongoing.
Sources
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Tags: San Diego Mosque Shooting, FBI, Hate Crime, Domestic Terrorism, California, Amin Abdullah, Islamic Center of San Diego, Extremism
News by The Vagabond News.
