In brief
In a brutal attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, two teenage gunmen opened fire, killing three—security guard Amin Abdullah, worshipper Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad—while protecting 140 children inside. A 17‑year‑old girl from North Carolina was indicted for aiding and abetting after she livestreamed the massacre and published a manifesto praising the attack. Prosecutors say her video was a key element of the crime, and she faces three murder counts and conspiracy. The attackers had an arsenal of 30 guns and a cross‑bow, and their manifesto referenced the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting, indicating extremist motivations. The case underscores the ongoing threat of hate‑based gun violence.
On the evening of May 18, the Islamic Center of San Diego was the target of a deadly shooting carried out by two teenage gunmen. Three people were killed, including security guard Amin Abdullah, who was praised as heroic for stopping the attackers and protecting 140 children inside the building.
A 17‑year‑old girl from North Carolina has now been indicted by a grand jury for aiding and abetting the attack. Prosecutors say the teen recorded and livestreamed the massacre on her phone, then published a manifesto that praised the attackers and the violence. Her filming was used as evidence that she was actively supporting the crime.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said the girl faces three murder charges and one conspiracy charge. He added, "We did not know what she was capable of," highlighting the seriousness of her alleged participation.
The gunmen, aged 17 and 18, had an arsenal of roughly 30 firearms and a cross‑bow, reportedly sourced from a parent. Their manifesto was full of racist and antisemitic rhetoric and made references to the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shooting.
Investigators say the shooters used GoPro‑style helmets to record and livestream the attack at the mosque. The video was posted on social media the same day. Authorities are also probing the attackers’ plans for additional attacks at a local Jewish temple and a predominantly African‑American high school.
Security guard Amin Abdullah was hailed as a hero by San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl and others for putting himself in harm’s way to protect innocent lives. He and the two worshippers, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were killed in the exchange.
The case has reignited debates over hate‑based gun violence and the role of extremist propaganda in fueling violent attacks across the United States. The indictment of a teenage livestreamer adds a new dimension to the investigation, underscoring how digital platforms can facilitate the planning and execution of mass terror.
