Teen ‘gunman’ named as ex- high school wrestler after three men killed in horror San Diego Islamic Center shooting
TWO teenage suspects of a horror attack that killed three at a San Diego mosque packed with children have been named.
Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Velasquez, 18, allegedly opened fire on the Islamic Center of San Diego at around noon on Monday, according to US media.
Authorities have not confirmed the suspects, who have been named by the New York Post citing a law enforcement source.
The brutal attack was carried out on the first day of Dhul Hijjah, a sacred month for Muslims.
Cops said the rampage began at 11.45am, before the suspects were found dead inside a BMW from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
A shotgun and gas container with an “SS” sticker on its side were located at the scene, according to the source.
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Investigators are also probing hate speech that was found written inside the vehicle.
Clark attended Madison High School, just a mile away from the mosque, and was a standout wrestler, according to the school’s social media page.
His grandfather, David Clark, 78, told the outlet: ”We’re very sorry for what happened. We know as much as you do. It’s a shock.”
Hours before the tragedy began, the mother of one of the alleged gunmen called police to report her son missing, along with three of her weapons and vehicle.
She believed her son was suicidal and said he was with a companion, according to cops. The pair were dressed in camouflage, she said.
President Donald Trump called the shooting a “terrible situation”, adding: “I’ve been given some early updates but we’re going to be going back and be looking at it very strongly.”
The San Diego Police Department received reports of a shooting just before noon and said just after 1pm that the threat “has been neutralized”.
The Islamic Center is the largest mosque in San Diego County and is home to a school for pre-K to third-grade students.
Three adult male victims, including security guard and father-of-eight Amin Abdullah, died as a result of the shooting.
Miraculously, no children were harmed in the horror attack.
Police Chief Wahl said Amin’s actions were “heroic” and “undoubtedly saved lives”.
What motivated the shooting remains unclear, officials said, adding that it is being investigated as a hate crime.
Police told CNN that one of the gunmen left a suicide note which included discussion of racial pride.
Details of the language in the note was not revealed.
The three victims were found dead outside the Islamic Center by responding officers.
Around the same time, other officers responded to reports of active gunfire a few blocks away, where a landscaper was shot at while working but was not injured.
Moments later, officers found a vehicle in the middle of another nearby street with the suspected shooters dead inside.
An Imam from the center said that students, teachers, and school staff members who were at the mosque are safe, and police also confirmed the safety of the children.
“The circumstances that led up to this, and the details of what happened in exactly which time it happened, will come out in the days ahead,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
A neighbor told NBC affiliate KNSD that a man with a gun walked up to a security guard and the two exchanged gunfire.
One witness told CBS News that he heard up to 30 gunshots from what he said sounded like “a semi-automatic weapon”.
Dozens of children were seen forming human chains to evacuate the building, video by local CBS affiliate KFMB showed.
Police chief Wahl told reporters: “In 28 years, this is the most dynamic and impressive response I have seen in policing.”
He appeared to become overwhelmed with emotion, adding: “I’ll tell you what got me, watching the kids come running out, just thankful to be alive.”
The shooting occurred on Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, which is considered one of the four sacred months.
During Dhul Hijjah, fighting was made forbidden to “ensure that pilgrims were able to go to and from Hajj in safety,” according to Muslim Aid.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was “outraged and heartbroken” by the shooting, especially as Monday marks the first day of Dhul Hijjah.
“Houses of worship must be true sanctuaries where hate and violence have no place,” she said.
“No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement.
Sharp Memorial Hospital said they activated disaster protocols and were receiving patients, but did not specify the number of people, KNSD reported.
Around 100 police officers and armed guards were seen responding to the largest mosque in the county, with snipers stationed on the roof of the center.
A woman was also seen being escorted out by police as law enforcement continued to surround the building.
Schools in the surrounding area were put on lockdown and surrounding roads were shut down, KNSD reported.
A reunification location was set up nearby, police said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was been briefed on the incident and was “grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities”.
The Governor later spoke out with a second statement, saying he was “horrified by today’s violent attack”.
He said: “California sends our deepest condolences to the families and communities impacted by today’s shooting.
“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
The scene echoes similar shootings at houses of worship, including the shooting at Temple Israel in Michigan at the end of March.
