‘He sacrificed his life’: security guard killed in San Diego mosque attack hailed as hero
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Amin Abdullah, a 51-year-old security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego, was killed while engaging two teenage shooters, an act police say saved many lives by delaying the attackers and initiating a lockdown during the mosque shooting.
- The attack resulted in three deaths: security guard Amin Abdullah, 78-year-old mosque elder Mansour Kaziha, and 57-year-old neighbor Nadir Awad, who both confronted the shooters and drew them out to the parking lot.
- Police and FBI are investigating the incident as a hate crime, with officials noting the attackers appeared to be radicalized online and targeted the mosque community.
- The Islamic Center community mourns the victims, describing them as heroes and pillars of the community, while a fundraiser has raised nearly $3 million to support their families.
- Law enforcement plans to increase visible security presence at houses of worship across the county in response to the attack.