The security guard killed in the shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center saved as many as 140 kids with his “heroic actions,” police said.
The security guard, identified as Amin Abdullah, was one of three people killed Monday after two teenage gunmen attacked the mosque. He “immediately observed the threat to everybody at the mosque” and exchanged fire with the attackers, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters Tuesday.
“You can see the security guard reach for his radio and put out the lockdown protocol. The security guard then continued to engage in a gun battle with these two suspects,” Wahl said.
“His actions, without a doubt, delayed, distracted, and ultimately deterred these two individuals from gaining access to the greater areas of the mosque, where as many as 140 kids were within 15 feet of these suspects. Tragically, he died in that gun battle,” he continued.
If it weren’t for Abdullah, the “carnage would be so much worse,” and the gunmen would’ve gained access to “every single classroom,” Imam Taha Hassane added.
Two other victims, identified as Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad, were killed in the parking lot.
“The other two victims, as best we can tell with this video surveillance at the mosque, drew the attention of both of these suspects back out into the parking lot area, where they were unfortunately unable to flee. Both suspects were able to successfully corner them and kill both of them while both suspects were outside,” Wahl said.
The suspected gunmen, 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, were found dead a few blocks away from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to investigators.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
