A shooting at an Islamic centre in San Diego, California, that left three adults dead is being investigated as a possible hate crime. The two teenage suspects, both believed to have acted together, were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds a short distance away.
Police have revealed that the mother of one of the suspects made a desperate 911 call at 9:42 a.m. on Monday, reporting that her son had run away, may have been suicidal, and had taken her car and several weapons, including a 9mm handgun, a shotgun and a mini 14. She told officers he had left with a companion, both dressed in camouflage.
Officers were dispatched to the Islamic Center of San Diego, which includes a mosque and a K-3 school, just before noon after reports of shots fired. They found three adults dead, including a security guard. Imam Taha Hassane later confirmed that no children, teachers or staff had been harmed. The suspects had already fled, and police were then called to a nearby scene on Hatton Street where the pair were discovered dead in a vehicle.
The younger suspect has been identified by law enforcement sources as Cain Clark, a student at Madison High School who was due to graduate this month. His grandfather expressed sorrow on behalf of the family. The second suspect has been named as Caleb Vazquez.
Investigators are treating the attack as a hate crime. Police Chief Scott Wahl said there had been no specific threat but that the suspects had engaged in “generalized hate rhetoric”. Anti-Islamic writing was found in the 2018 BMW SUV used by the suspects, along with a weapon bearing the words “hate speech” and a red gas canister with a Nazi SS symbol. A suicide note discussing “racial pride” was also reportedly found. The FBI has surged resources to assist the investigation.
