Police were searching for two teenagers hours before a deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque that left three men dead, including a security guard later praised for his heroic actions.
The search began after the mother of one of the suspects alerted authorities that her son was suicidal and had gone missing, taking weapons and her vehicle from their home, Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
Teen gunmen kill 3 at San Diego mosque before taking own lives
Roughly two hours later, gunfire erupted at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which also houses a school. The suspects, aged 17 and 18, were later found dead inside a vehicle near the scene in an apparent suicide.
Authorities said they would execute search warrants as part of efforts to determine the motive behind the attack, which is being investigated as a hate crime. While no specific threat had been identified against the mosque, investigators found evidence of “generalised hate rhetoric.”
Among the victims was security guard Amin Abdullah, described as playing a key role in preventing greater loss of life. Mosque officials and community members praised his bravery, saying he died protecting others.