A former high school wrestler, identified as a 17-year-old, was one of the alleged shooters involved in an attack on a mosque in California. The incident, which took place outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The two teenage suspects, Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, were later found deceased inside a BMW near the mosque, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Clark, who had competed as a wrestler at Madison High School, was not enrolled as a student there during the 2024-25 season. Reports indicate that hate speech was found on one of the weapons used in the attack, along with anti-Islamic writings discovered in the suspects’ vehicle.
The San Diego Unified School District confirmed that Clark had been attending virtual classes and was set to graduate this month. His grandfather expressed remorse for the tragic events, stating that the family was shocked by the incident.
Following a call from a concerned mother reporting a potentially suicidal juvenile, the San Diego Police were alerted about the situation. The mother mentioned that several weapons and her car were missing, prompting further investigation.
A shotgun with the letters “SS” was discovered near the crime scene, possibly referencing the Schutzstaffel from Nazi Germany. The mother also described seeing her son and another individual dressed in camouflage before contacting the authorities, although it remains uncertain if the missing teenager was linked to the incident.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl indicated that the attack was being treated as a hate crime, with ongoing investigations to uncover the circumstances leading to the tragedy. A note containing hate rhetoric was reportedly found by the mother, adding to the complexity of the case.
Among the victims was Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego hailed as a hero for his actions during the attack. Parents of students at the center praised Abdullah’s bravery, acknowledging his selfless efforts to protect those inside the building.
San Diego Police Chief Wahl commended Abdullah for his role in saving lives and highlighted the swift response of law enforcement to the incident. The Islamic Center, which houses the Al Rashid School offering various educational programs, is the largest mosque in San Diego County.
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