Amin Abdullah, the security guard killed in the midday shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, is being remembered as a hero after police said his actions “were heroic and undoubtedly saved lives.” The attack, at the largest mosque in San Diego County, was reported shortly before noon.
Police said officers were already responding to the mosque when additional reports of active gunfire came in from a couple of blocks away. Investigators believe Abdullah’s intervention played a pivotal role in preventing the violence from spreading beyond the front area of the mosque.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the guard helped confine the shooting to the immediate entrance area, and that his actions likely minimized what could have been a much worse outcome.
Community members and those who knew Abdullah praised his character. Sam Hamideh, whose son attends the school next to the mosque, said Abdullah “would have done anything to help the people inside,” adding that he always cared for others and brought a smile even on hard days.
Both suspected shooters, ages 17 and 18, were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, authorities reported. Investigators are probing a possible motive and are treating the incident as a hate crime, citing evidence of anti-Islamic rhetoric.
Officials said anti-Islamic writings were discovered in the vehicle associated with the two teens. Chief Wahl indicated that hate-based language was involved in the attack.
Taha Hassan, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, said the community has not experienced a tragedy like this before and expressed prayers and solidarity with affected families, other local mosques, and places of worship across the city.
Tazheen Nizam, executive director of the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, condemned the violence and said no one should fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.
Authorities continue to investigate the events and the suspects’ motivations as the community mourns the loss of life and honors the actions of the security guard that helped limit the scope of the attack.