A security guard hailed as a hero tragically lost his life while thwarting an attack by two teenage gunmen at a San Diego mosque. The guard, along with two others, was killed during the incident at The Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18.

Authorities identified the teenage gunmen as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, who were later found dead in a vehicle with self-inflicted wounds. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised the guard’s actions, stating that he played a crucial role in preventing a more devastating outcome and describing his actions as heroic.

The identities of the victims, including the guard, have not been disclosed yet. The incident is being treated as a hate crime. Photos from the scene depict a significant police presence and families fleeing the area.

Earlier that day, one of the teenagers’ mothers had contacted the police reporting her son missing along with multiple weapons and her vehicle. The mother had discovered a note containing “hate rhetoric,” although there was no specific threat against the Islamic Center of San Diego.

The Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in the county, houses the Al Rashid School, offering educational programs in Arabic language, Islamic studies, and the Quran for students aged five and above.

Upon receiving reports of an active shooter, police responded within minutes. Gunshots were heard nearby, with a landscaper being shot at but escaping unharmed. The gunmen were later found deceased in a vehicle on a nearby road.

Imam Taha Hassane, the mosque’s director, condemned the attack as an outrageous act of targeting a place of worship, emphasizing the importance of protecting all places of worship in the city.