- Amin Abdullah, a father of eight working as a security guard, was fatally shot while protecting the Islamic Center of San Diego from two teenage gunmen, saving many lives.
- Abdullah and two other staff members, including teacher Mohamed Nader, were killed when 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Velasquez opened fire at the mosque.
- The two gunmen were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds a few blocks away, after also firing at a landscaper.
- Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, citing "generalized hate rhetoric," anti-Islamic writings found in the suspects' car, and hate speech on one of the firearms.
- Authorities had been searching for one of the teens after his mother reported him suicidal and missing with family weapons, and police responded to the mosque within four minutes of the shooting.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
