The San Diego mosque shooting happened on May 18, 2026, at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the Clairemont area. Three adults were killed during the attack, while the two teenage suspects later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to San Diego police and the FBI.
The case has remained under investigation because authorities have been examining the attackers’ motives, their online connections, weapons and possible plans for additional violence. Months later, the investigation produced a major legal development when a 17-year-old girl in North Carolina was arrested and charged in connection with the attack.
This article explains what is confirmed about the shooting, who died, what police say happened, why authorities classified the incident as a hate crime, and what the latest court proceedings involving Sarah Santiago mean for the case.
Background: What Happened at the San Diego Mosque?
On Monday, May 18, 2026, San Diego police began receiving information about a potentially dangerous situation involving a runaway juvenile. According to the San Diego Police Department, the juvenile’s mother reported that her son might be suicidal and that several firearms and her vehicle were missing.
Police also learned that he was believed to be with another person who was wearing camouflage. Officers began efforts to locate them, including the use of automated license-plate recognition technology.
The situation escalated later that morning. At approximately 11:43 a.m., police received reports of an active shooter at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the 7000 block of Eckstrom Avenue in Clairemont.
Officers arrived approximately four minutes later and found three deceased adults outside the Islamic Center. Police immediately entered the center and adjacent school area to search for the shooter.
Authorities later located a vehicle in the neighborhood containing the two suspects. Police believe both suspects had already suffered self-inflicted gunshot wounds when officers arrived.
Latest Update: September 30, 2026
As of September 30, 2026, the shooting investigation remains an active matter for law enforcement, while a related criminal prosecution is underway in North Carolina.
The latest major development came in August when North Carolina authorities arrested 17-year-old Sarah Lindsey Santiago. A grand jury subsequently indicted her in connection with allegations that she helped the two California teenagers before and during the mosque attack.
Prosecutors allege that Santiago agreed in advance to record and distribute a livestream of the shooting and disseminate writings produced by the attackers. She faces three counts of murder by aiding and abetting and one count of conspiracy.
In September, Santiago’s attorney challenged the prosecution’s case in court. Her lawyer argued that prosecutors had not provided enough information about the alleged communications and conduct for the defense to adequately respond. Prosecutors said the case involved multiple agencies, including the FBI and San Diego police, which contributed to delays in providing information.
Santiago was not accused of being physically present at the San Diego mosque during the shooting. The allegations against her concern her claimed involvement before and around the attack. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Who Were the Three Victims?
San Diego police identified the three adults killed in the attack as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.
Abdullah was 51 and worked as a security guard at the Islamic Center. Police said he confronted the attackers and returned gunfire after they entered the property. He also used his radio to activate lockdown procedures for the center.
Kaziha was 78 years old. Awad was 57. Police said the two were outside the center when the attackers returned to the parking area and opened fire.
Authorities have publicly credited the actions of the three men with helping prevent further loss of life. The city later clarified that Abdullah did shoot one of the suspects and that the actions of Abdullah, Kaziha and Awad helped protect people at the Islamic Center.
What Police Say Happened Inside the Islamic Center
According to the San Diego Police Department’s investigation updates, the suspects parked in the Islamic Center’s parking lot before running past the security guard.
Abdullah engaged the suspects with gunfire. Police said he returned fire and activated the center’s lockdown procedures over his radio.
The attackers then entered the building. Investigators said they moved through several empty areas and rooms before leaving through a door and returning to the parking lot.
They encountered Kaziha and Awad outside and opened fire, killing both men.
The suspects then left the Islamic Center in their vehicle and drove into the surrounding neighborhood. Police said they also fired at a landscaper. The landscaper was not injured.
Shortly afterward, the suspects were found in their vehicle with fatal self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Who Were the Suspects?
San Diego police identified the two attackers as Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, and Cain Lee Clark, 17.
The pair were both teenagers at the time of the attack. Police said investigators believe they met online after discovering that they lived in the San Diego area and exchanged extremist ideology.
Authorities searched residences connected with the suspects and recovered numerous firearms, ammunition, tactical equipment and electronic devices. Police said more than 30 firearms and a crossbow had been seized during the investigation.
Investigators also examined electronic devices and other evidence to understand how the two suspects communicated and prepared for the attack.
Why Was the Shooting Investigated as a Hate Crime?
San Diego police said the shooting was investigated as a hate crime. Investigators reported finding writings in the suspects’ vehicle expressing hatred toward various religions and racial groups.
Authorities have also described the case as involving an extremist online environment. The investigation has examined the suspects’ digital communications and relationships as officials attempt to determine how their views developed and how those beliefs influenced the attack.
Officials have been careful about releasing certain details because the investigation involves potential additional targets and people who may have had contact with the suspects.
Were There Other Potential Targets?
Authorities later said the suspects had allegedly discussed additional potential targets. These included a Jewish temple and African American students at a public high school, according to the indictment and law-enforcement statements.
San Diego officials chose not to identify the additional locations publicly. The city said there were no ongoing threats to those locations and explained that naming them could unnecessarily publicize alleged plans.
The existence of alleged additional targets is therefore part of the authorities’ investigation and court allegations. It should not be interpreted as evidence that an additional attack was carried out or that a particular location was actually targeted in the same way as the Islamic Center.
The Sarah Santiago Case
The most significant later development in the investigation involved Sarah Santiago, a 17-year-old from North Carolina.
North Carolina prosecutors allege that Santiago communicated with the California attackers before the shooting and agreed to record and distribute a livestream of the attack. Prosecutors also accuse her of helping disseminate the attackers’ writings and sending one of the suspects a patch bearing a white-supremacist symbol.
Those allegations resulted in three murder counts based on aiding and abetting and one conspiracy charge. Because of North Carolina’s laws, Santiago is being prosecuted as an adult.
The prosecution’s case does not allege that Santiago traveled to San Diego and personally carried out the shooting. Instead, prosecutors accuse her of participating remotely in conduct connected with the attack.
What Has Santiago’s Lawyer Said?
Santiago’s attorney has challenged the prosecution’s handling of the case. In a September court appearance, the defense argued that prosecutors had not provided enough information to explain the alleged connection between Santiago and the California shooters.
The defense has sought greater detail about communications and the specific conduct prosecutors believe constituted participation in the crimes.
Prosecutors have attributed some of the delay to the number of agencies involved in the investigation, including San Diego police and the FBI.
These allegations remain unresolved in court. A criminal indictment is an accusation, not a finding of guilt, and Santiago has the right to defend herself against the charges.
Did Anyone Else at the Mosque Get Hurt?
The three adult victims were killed, but police said no children from the adjacent school and no responding officers were injured.
The Islamic Center included a school, making the presence of children an important part of the official account of the attack. Authorities have said the lockdown and other actions taken during the incident helped protect people inside the facility.
Police also reported that a landscaper was shot at after the suspects left the center, but the landscaper was not injured.
What Happened to the Islamic Center After the Shooting?
The shooting had an impact well beyond the immediate crime scene. Members of the Islamic Center, families, local residents and the wider San Diego Muslim community were affected by the deaths.
The city established support resources for people experiencing the effects of gun violence. These included victim-assistance services, family support and community resources.
The FBI also deployed victim specialists and worked with families affected by the shooting. Investigators asked members of the public to provide photographs, videos or other information that might assist the investigation.
Federal Investigation
The FBI became involved alongside San Diego police. Federal investigators interviewed family members and friends of the suspects and assisted with evidence collection and digital investigations.
The FBI said its goal was to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and understand why the attack occurred.
Police have continued to encourage anyone with information about the case to contact investigators. The FBI has specifically sought photographs, videos and other visual information that could help investigators reconstruct events.
San Diego Mosque Shooting Quick Facts
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Date | May 18, 2026 |
| Location | Islamic Center of San Diego, Clairemont |
| Victims killed | Three adults |
| Victims | Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad |
| Suspects | Caleb Liam Vazquez and Cain Lee Clark |
| Suspect ages | 18 and 17 |
| Suspect outcome | Both died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds |
| Investigation | San Diego Police Department and FBI |
| Classification | Investigated as a hate crime |
| Later arrest | Sarah Santiago, 17, North Carolina |
| Current legal status | Santiago faces murder and conspiracy charges and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence |
Reader Questions
When did the San Diego mosque shooting happen?
The shooting happened on May 18, 2026, at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the Clairemont neighborhood. Police received the active-shooter call at approximately 11:43 a.m.
How many people died in the San Diego mosque shooting?
Three adults were killed. They were identified as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.
Who were the San Diego mosque shooting suspects?
Police identified the suspects as Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, and Cain Lee Clark, 17. Both were later found dead in a vehicle after suffering self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Was the San Diego mosque shooting considered a hate crime?
Yes. San Diego police said the incident was investigated as a hate crime. Investigators reported finding writings expressing hatred toward different religions and racial groups.
Who was Amin Abdullah?
Amin Abdullah was a 51-year-old security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Police said he confronted the attackers, returned fire and activated lockdown procedures during the attack.
Who was Sarah Santiago?
Sarah Santiago is a 17-year-old from North Carolina who was arrested in August 2026 in connection with the investigation. Prosecutors allege that she helped the attackers remotely by agreeing to record and distribute a livestream and disseminate their writings.
Was Sarah Santiago at the mosque?
The allegations against Santiago do not say that she was physically present at the Islamic Center during the shooting. Prosecutors allege that her involvement occurred remotely through communications and distribution of material connected to the attackers.
What charges does Sarah Santiago face?
She has been charged as an adult with three counts of murder by aiding and abetting and one count of conspiracy. The charges are allegations that must be proven in court.
What has Sarah Santiago’s lawyer said?
Her attorney has argued that prosecutors have not provided enough information about the alleged communications and conduct for the defense to properly respond. Prosecutors have said the investigation involves multiple agencies and that this has contributed to delays in providing information.
Were children inside the Islamic Center?
Yes. The Islamic Center had an adjacent school, and authorities have said children were present. Police reported that no children from the school were injured.
Is there still a public threat from the San Diego mosque shooting?
San Diego officials said there were no ongoing threats to the additional locations allegedly discussed by the suspects. The shooting itself occurred on May 18, and both original suspects are deceased.
Is the San Diego mosque shooting investigation finished?
The investigation has continued beyond the original shooting, including federal and local work and the North Carolina prosecution. Authorities continue to seek information that could help establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
Wrap-Up
The San Diego mosque shooting was a deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026. Three adults — Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad — were killed, while police identified Caleb Liam Vazquez and Cain Lee Clark as the two teenage attackers. Both suspects later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Investigators have described the case as a hate-crime investigation and have examined extremist writings, online relationships, firearms and electronic evidence. Authorities have also said the suspects allegedly discussed additional targets, although officials have not publicly identified those locations.
The case gained another major development months later with the arrest of Sarah Santiago in North Carolina. Prosecutors allege that the 17-year-old helped the attackers remotely by participating in plans to livestream and distribute material connected with the shooting. Her attorney disputes the prosecution’s presentation and has sought more details about the allegations.
As of September 30, 2026, the criminal allegations against Santiago remain unresolved. The investigation and court proceedings are separate from the established fact that three people lost their lives at the Islamic Center, and additional evidence or court rulings may change what is publicly known about the case.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by the San Diego Police Department, the FBI and current reporting available as of September 30, 2026. Allegations against Sarah Santiago and descriptions of alleged plans or communications have not been presented as proven facts. Criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Information may change as the investigation and court proceedings continue.
