The FBI confirmed Tuesday that the two teenage suspects behind the deadly San Diego Islamic Center shooting recorded a live video of their attack and left a 75-page manifesto detailing white supremacist ideology. The shooting occurred during a documented surge in hate crimes and threats targeting Muslim and Jewish communities across the United States since the beginning of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Investigators identified the deceased attackers as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18.
The attack claimed the lives of three men: security guard Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad. Authorities stated that the victims intentionally distracted the gunmen, preventing them from entering the adjoining Al Rashid School where 140 children were sheltered. Both shooters died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the scene.
According to an Associated Press wire report detailing the FBI briefing, Clark and Vazquez met and underwent radicalization online. A subsequent search of their respective residences uncovered at least 30 firearms, a crossbow, and a large cache of ammunition. Local law enforcement records showed there was no specific prior threat against the mosque before the assault began.
The suspects’ shared manifesto outlined a generalized hatred toward Muslims, Jewish people, Black people, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, explicitly calling for the extermination of Muslims. The writings also included an homage to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand, with the attackers calling themselves the “Sons of Tarrant.” Commenting on the digital radicalization of the youth, Muslim American advocacy group Emgage Action interim CEO Mohamed Gula stated, “Words have consequences.”