Mother of San Diego mosque gunman warned police hours before deadly attack

On Monday, two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County in the US state of California, killing three men.

The attack, which authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime, occurred in the Clairemont neighborhood.

The victims included a mosque security guard and two staff members of the Islamic school on the premises.

A landscaper working nearby was shot at but escaped injury. All children at the day school were safely accounted for, according to officials.

The suspects, identified by law enforcement sources as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez (or Velasquez), were found dead in a vehicle a short distance away from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

No officers fired shots during the incident.

Approximately two hours before the shooting, around 9:42 a.m., the mother of one suspect contacted police to report her son missing.

She described him as suicidal, noted that he had taken her vehicle and three firearms, and stated that he was with a companion. Both teens were last seen dressed in camouflage clothing.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated that the mother’s report prompted a search, which intensified upon learning details inconsistent with a simple suicide risk.

Officers were interviewing the mother near the mosque when reports of the shooting came in. The mother also discovered a note left by her son, the contents of which authorities have not publicly disclosed.

Investigators recovered evidence suggesting a possible hate-motivated attack, including anti-Islamic writings, references to “racial pride,” and Nazi-related symbolism in the suspects’ vehicle and on weapons. The FBI is assisting in the probe.

The Islamic Center of San Diego remained closed in the immediate aftermath as the community mourned the victims and authorities continued their investigation.