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An armed security guard is being hailed as a hero after police say he engaged two teenage gunmen in a firefight outside a San Diego mosque, likely preventing what could have become a catastrophic mass killing involving more than 100 children.
According to reporting from CBS Los Angeles, the attack unfolded Monday night at the Islamic Center of San Diego when two suspects, ages 17 and 18, allegedly opened fire on members of the mosque community before later killing themselves.
Three people were murdered in the attack, including security guard Amin Abdullah. And according to Scott Wahl, Abdullah’s actions may have saved dozens of lives.
Police say Abdullah immediately engaged the suspects in a gun battle near the mosque entrance while also broadcasting a radio warning to people inside the building.
“As many as 140 kids were within 15 feet of these suspects,” Chief Wahl said. That detail alone changes the entire weight of this story.
This wasn’t just another random shooting scene. According to investigators, there were children inside the mosque at the time of the attack, and police believe Abdullah’s response delayed and distracted the suspects long enough to stop them from reaching those kids.
His daughter later described just how seriously he took protecting the community.
“Sometimes he didn’t even want to eat,” she said. “He wanted to save his food till after he left the job, because he was afraid that if he went on his break, something bad would happen.”
That’s the kind of quote that hits hard after hearing what happened next.
Police say two additional victims — Nader Awad and Mansour Kaziha, — also helped draw the suspects away from the mosque itself and toward the parking lot area, where they were killed.
Neighbors described Kazzha as someone deeply connected to the mosque community for decades. Meanwhile, the violence spilled into nearby neighborhoods.
🚨 San Diego Mosque shooting – Two Teen Gunmen Kill 3 Adults, Then Take Own Lives
Cain Clark (17) and Caleb Vazquez (18) have been named as the gunmen in a deadly attack outside a San Diego mosque.
The pair shot and killed three adult men in front of the Islamic Center of San… pic.twitter.com/EaAmlN1d2P
— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) May 19, 2026
Investigators say the suspects later shot at a landscaper working near a residence a few blocks away. Dashcam footage reportedly captured portions of the chaos as neighbors initially mistook the gunfire for falling tree branches before realizing someone had been hit.
The landscaper survived and has already reportedly returned to work. Police later found both teenage suspects dead inside a vehicle nearby.
Authorities say investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the teens had expressed hatred toward multiple groups, including Muslims, before carrying out the attack. One suspect’s mother had also reportedly warned police earlier that her son had taken several firearms from the home.
Stories like this inevitably reopen conversations about security at religious institutions, soft targets, and whether armed security can actually make a difference during active attacks.
In this case, San Diego police are making their position pretty clear. They believe Amin Abdullah’s willingness to fight back changed the outcome.
And based on the number of children reportedly inside that building, it’s hard not to wonder how much worse this could have become if nobody had been there to meet the attackers at the door.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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