Mark Remily, special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office, said the victims “were there to help others and be a part of a community that came together in peace.”
“Instead, they were confronted by teenagers who appear to have been radicalized online to believe that they didn’t belong because of how they looked or where they worshipped,” Remily said in prepared remarks.
The suspects, ages 17 and 18, opened fire at the mosque Monday before killing themselves nearby, police said. Authorities are investigating whether hate motivated the attack.
The FBI and San Diego Police Department have been conducting interviews with the suspects’ family members and friends, according to Remily.
Victims Credited With Saving Lives
Mosque leaders identified the victims as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad.
Authorities said the three men slowed the attackers and helped prevent them from reaching roughly 140 schoolchildren inside the Islamic Center, The Associated Press reported.
Abdullah, a longtime security guard at the mosque, engaged the attackers and called for a lockdown on his radio before he was killed.
“He sacrificed his life to stop them from getting inside the classrooms,” Imam Taha Hassane said, according to AP.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said Abdullah “delayed and distracted” the suspects, saving lives “without a doubt.”
FBI Finds Weapons, Reviews Writings
Investigators executed three search warrants at residences associated with the suspects, Remily said.
Agents seized more than 30 firearms, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns, as well as ammunition, tactical gear, electronics, and a crossbow.
Investigators also executed search warrants on electronic devices the suspects had at the time of the attack and were seeking additional search warrants for other devices.
Remily said investigators found writings in the suspects’ vehicle that included “various ideologies outlining religious and racial beliefs of how the world they envisioned should look.”
The writings reviewed by AP included hateful rhetoric toward Jewish people, Muslims and Islam, people who identify as LGBTQ, black people, women, and people on both the political left and right. They also included symbols long associated with white supremacists and Nazis.
Authorities had not released the suspects’ names as of AP’s Tuesday report, but the writings were authored by Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez.
Livestream Footage Under Review
Footage described online as coming from the gunmen’s livestream circulated after the attack.
The New York Post reported that the FBI is investigating footage allegedly livestreamed during the shooting, citing sources. In a later report, the outlet said the footage appeared to show the suspects inside their vehicle after the attack, including Caleb Vazquez allegedly urging Cain Clark to shoot him before both died.
The Dallas Express is not publishing or describing graphic footage from the attack.
Online Claims Remain Unverified
Claims circulated online that the suspects were a “transgender” couple. The Dallas Express found no official confirmation of that claim in FBI remarks, police statements, or major reporting reviewed before publication.
Reporting on the writings also said the suspects expressed hatred toward people who identify as LGBTQ, among several other groups.
Investigation Continues
Police said one suspect’s mother contacted authorities before the shooting to report that her son had left home with weapons and a vehicle. She also told police he was with another person and that both were wearing camouflage.
Officers were searching for the vehicle when the attack at the Islamic Center was reported.
Officials have not announced a final motive determination.
Remily said investigators are still working to understand why and how the attack happened.
“We are thoroughly investigating this case to learn everything we can and will not stop until we get to the bottom of why this happened,” Remily said.
The FBI has asked anyone with information about the May 18 shooting to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit photos, videos, or other files at fbi.gov/islamicenterofsandiegoshooting.
