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INVESTIGATORS probing a deadly shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego have uncovered anti-Islam writings, racist material and suspected Nazi-linked symbols connected to two teenage gunmen who allegedly carried out the attack before killing themselves.
The shooting, which unfolded shortly before midday prayers on Monday morning, left three people dead, including a security guard hailed by police as a hero for confronting the attackers and preventing an even greater massacre.
Authorities identified the suspects as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Velasquez, 18, who were later found dead inside a BMW near the mosque from what police described as self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has since joined local authorities in investigating the attack as a possible hate crime after officers reportedly discovered anti-Islamic messages on firearms and inside the suspects’ vehicle.
Police also recovered a shotgun and fuel containers marked with the symbol “SS”, believed to reference the Schutzstaffel, the notorious paramilitary organisation led by Heinrich Himmler under Nazi Germany.
Investigators said one of the teenagers allegedly left behind a suicide note containing racist rhetoric and references to racial superiority.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the incident as “every community’s worst nightmare”, while cautioning that investigators were still working to establish the precise motives behind the attack.
“There was no specific threat, especially no specific threat to the Islamic Center. It was just general hate kind of speech that I think covered a wide gamut,” Wahl told reporters.
Police said the first emergency call was received at approximately 11.43am local time, moments before worshippers gathered for midday prayers at the mosque complex.
Responding officers discovered three victims who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds inside the Islamic Centre.
Almost simultaneously, police received separate reports of gunfire coming from a vehicle located roughly two blocks away from the mosque.
When officers arrived at the second scene, they found both teenage suspects dead.
Authorities revealed that earlier in the day, police had received a distress call from the mother of one of the teenagers, who reported that her son had disappeared from home with firearms and a vehicle.
According to investigators, the woman warned officers that her son was suicidal and travelling with another teenager, both reportedly dressed in military-style camouflage clothing.
Although police initially declined to formally identify the missing teenager, details later matched the profiles of the suspects.
Investigators also discovered that at least one of the firearms used in the attack had allegedly been taken from a parent’s home without permission.
Based on social media postings linked to the suspects’ school, Clark was identified as a student at Madison High School and had reportedly been active in wrestling.
Clark’s grandfather, David Clark, 78, said he was shocked and devastated by the tragedy.
The three victims killed in the attack were identified as a security guard, a grocery store owner and another local man.
Police singled out security guard Amin Abdullah, a father of eight, for his bravery during the shooting, saying his actions likely prevented the death toll from rising further.
Federal and local investigators are continuing to examine evidence recovered from the suspects’ vehicle, weapons and personal belongings as the probe into the deadly mosque shooting intensifies. - May 19, 2026
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