Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 19, killing three people before taking their own lives a few blocks away. The victims have been identified as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad.
Authorities stated that the victims played a role in responding to the attackers. One of the victims was a mosque security guard who police said played a pivotal role in preventing the attack from being more deadly.
Investigators are treating the incident as a hate crime. Police discovered more than 30 guns at the suspects' homes, along with a manifesto containing white supremacist views and hateful rhetoric. Authorities noted that the shooters exhibited behavior indicating a generalized hate rhetoric towards Muslims.
The attack is considered one of the most major to target the large Muslim community in the Californian city and has sent shockwaves through the Muslim community across the United States.