The family of Caleb Vazquez, one of two suspects in the fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, has said the 18-year-old was autistic and radicalised by online hate. The attack on Monday killed Mansour Kaziha, Nadir Awad, and Amin Abdullah, and is being investigated by the FBI as a hate crime.
The suspects' bodies were found in a vehicle near the mosque, having apparently taken their own lives. Police recovered anti-Islamic writings, a gas canister with a Nazi SS sticker, and weapons inscribed with racist messages, including one that read: 'Race War Now.'
In a statement released by their attorney, Vazquez's family said: 'We are completely heartbroken and devastated by what has happened. We condemn these hateful and violent actions entirely.' They added that their son was on the autism spectrum and struggled with his identity, and that exposure to extremist content online contributed to his radicalisation.
The family said they had made repeated attempts to help their son through his 'mental instability' but acknowledged: 'We will forever live with the burden of wondering whether there was more we could have done to help prevent this senseless tragedy.' They urged that his actions not inspire further hatred.
The three victims were honoured at a prayer service at Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday, attended by hundreds from the local Muslim community. They have been praised as 'martyred heroes' who died protecting children, and will be buried side by side at La Vista Memorial Park in National City.
