Investigators say two young gunmen accused of carrying out a deadly attack outside a San Diego mosque left behind disturbing signs pointing to extremist beliefs before turning the guns on themselves.
Authorities identified the suspected shooters as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Velasquez, according to a law enforcement source who spoke with the New York Post.
The pair allegedly opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three people before fleeing the scene in a white BMW.
The suspects were later found dead inside the vehicle from what police believe were self-inflicted gunshot wounds, only a few blocks away from the mosque.
Law enforcement sources told The Post that anti-Islamic writings were discovered inside the suspects’ car and that “hate speech” had been written directly on the firearms used during the rampage.
Investigators also recovered a shotgun and a gas can bearing an “SS” sticker, which appeared to reference the Schutzstaffel, the Nazi paramilitary organization overseen by Heinrich Himmler during Adolf Hitler’s regime.
One of the suspects also allegedly left behind a suicide note discussing “racial pride,” according to a source familiar with the investigation.
Police said the violence unfolded after officers received a call around 9:42 a.m. from a mother reporting her juvenile son missing.
According to authorities, the woman feared her son was suicidal and told officers that several weapons and her vehicle had disappeared from the home.
She also informed police that her son was accompanied by another individual and that both were dressed in camouflage clothing.
While investigators stopped short of publicly confirming the runaway juvenile was directly tied to the shooting, many of the details aligned with information later uncovered at the crime scene.
Among those killed was Amin Abdullah, a security guard and father of eight, whom police credited with helping prevent even more deaths during the attack.
The other victims included a grocery store owner and another unidentified man.
Imam Taha Hassane later reassured families and community members in a video circulated among California’s Muslim community.
“We are safe, the entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff, and the teachers are safe and out of the Islamic Center,” Hassane said.
Authorities said officers arrived within four minutes of the first emergency calls and immediately launched what they described as a “dynamic” response.
Between 50 and 100 officers entered the Islamic Center as they searched prayer rooms, classrooms, and nearby buildings for additional threats.
Clark had reportedly attended Madison High School, where he was known as a standout wrestler, according to posts on the school’s social media pages.
His grandfather, David Clark, reacted to the allegations with shock.
“We’re very sorry for what happened. We know as much as you do. It’s a shock,” the 78-year-old said.
Police have not officially announced a motive, but investigators continue examining the anti-Islamic writings, the alleged suicide note, and other evidence recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.
