San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said “hate rhetoric” was involved in the deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque that left five people dead, including the two suspects.
Wahl said the shooting that took place on Monday morning at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated as a hate crime.
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The two suspects were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle near the Islamic center. NBC reported that police identified the suspects as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18.
Three additional victims were killed in the shooting. One of the victims was a security guard at the Islamic center named Amin Abdullah, according to reports.
Wahl said the mother of one of the suspects called the police about a “runaway juvenile.” He said after speaking with the mother, she started to “piece together” information, which “elevated the threat level.”
The mother believed her son was suicidal and said several of her weapons and her vehicle, as well as her son, were missing, police said. She said her son was with a companion, and they were dressed in camo.
“That is not consistent with what we would typically see from somebody that is suicidal,” Wahl said. “That began to trigger a larger threat assessment picture.”
He said the threat management unit began using the technology available to start tracking the situation. Police were first dispatched to the Fashion Valley mall and the area of Madison High School, which was associated with one of the suspects.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) issued a statement that said the community was “shattered by gunfire,” offering his and his wife’s condolences to the families and thanking law enforcement for their response.
“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives,” Newsom said. “Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
Numerous Democratic and Muslim lawmakers from across the country have called for unity after the shooting.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who is Muslim, also issued a statement, emphasizing that “there is no place for anti-Muslim hate in America.”
“We must confront this violence and protect the right to worship safely,” she said.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting “an apparent act of anti-Muslim violence.”
“Islamophobia endangers Muslim Communities across this country,” Mamdani said. “We must confront it directly and stand together against the politics of fear.”
Few Republicans have issued statements on the events in Southern California.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) offered his condolences to the victims and their families, saying he was “heartbroken” to hear about the “senseless shooting.”
“As Americans, we must stand firmly together rejecting the senseless killing of people of faith. We truly live in dangerous and sick times,” Graham said.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) issued a statement, calling the shooting “horrific.”
“Devastated by the horrific shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont,” Lawler said. “A security guard and two other innocent men were murdered in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime. My heart goes out to the victims’ families, the Muslim community, and all those who worship there.”
TWO SUSPECTS DEAD AFTER THREE KILLED IN SHOOTING AT SAN DIEGO ISLAMIC CENTER
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said her department is monitoring the “terrible situation.” She added that the Department of Justice “will not tolerate attacks on ANY house of worship in America.”
The FBI has started a tip line for information on the shooting. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
