The heroic actions of a security guard, who tragically lost his life protecting others during a shooting at a San Diego mosque on Monday, May 18, prevented an even greater tragedy, according to police.
The security guard, identified as Amin Abdullah, was a devoted father of eight children, confirmed Tazheen Nizam, a spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (CAIR-SD), in a statement to the BBC.
“It is safe to say that his actions were heroic,” stated San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl during a press conference on Tuesday, May 19. He added, “There is no doubt he saved many lives today.”
Abdullah, along with two other congregants, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were fatally shot by two teenagers who subsequently took their own lives, police reported. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the two teenage assailants.
Police detailed that as the two teenagers ran past Abdullah at the mosque’s entrance, he bravely returned fire, engaging them in a shootout. Abdullah’s quick thinking also led him to lock the mosque doors, effectively blocking the assailants’ entry. This critical action, Chief Wahl emphasized, saved countless lives, including the 140 children attending a school located within the mosque complex.
The two other victims, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, then drew the attention of the attackers in the parking lot, where they were fatally shot. Chief Wahl asserted that Abdullah’s initial and courageous response “undoubtedly” prompted the suspects to flee the scene, commending all three victims for preventing a far higher casualty count.
Those who knew Abdullah spoke to US media outlets, describing him as a steadfast guardian of the community. Other residents, sharing their sentiments on social media, remembered Abdullah as “the kindest person I have ever met.” The mosque itself issued a poignant tribute, calling Abdullah “a brave man who put himself on the line for the safety of others, who even in his final moments did not stop protecting our community.”
Nizam of CAIR further elaborated to the BBC on Abdullah’s character: “Amin Abdullah was loved by everyone; he stood there day in and day out, always smiling, welcoming everyone, welcoming the children who came to school. He was a shining light. He was a true hero, a martyr.” A family friend, speaking to the Associated Press, shared that Abdullah was well-known at the mosque, having worked there for over a decade. “He wanted to defend the innocent, so he decided to become a security officer,” Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq told the news agency.
Also read:
- Hate crimes against Muslims in the US ‘sharply rise’ after Donald Trump’s victory
- ‘I’d rather hide for life in the US than return to Somalia’
- Immigrants in the US hunted by ICE agents even while taking out trash
Sam Hamideh, who knew Abdullah through the mosque, told CBS, a BBC partner in the US, that Abdullah would be remembered for his boundless kindness. “No matter who approached… anyone could just come and [Abdullah] would greet them, make sure they were okay,” Hamideh recounted. “Whether they were homeless from the street looking for something, whether it was children or the elderly.”
On Tuesday evening, May 19, ahead of a community prayer event for Muslims in San Diego, Abdullah’s daughter, Hawa Abdullah, conveyed her father’s wish for the community to “stand together as one.” She added, “That’s the legacy he left behind. He wanted us all to be better, regardless of who we are, how we identify ourselves.” The family also urged officials to exercise caution in shaping narratives about religious communities.
The other two victims, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were dedicated congregants at the mosque, as confirmed by CAIR-SD. Mansour Kaziha played a vital role in maintaining the mosque grounds and a convenience store, while Nader Awad’s wife taught at the school affiliated with the Islamic center. An online fundraising campaign launched for the three victims had already raised over US$2.9 million (Rp51.4 billion) by Tuesday afternoon, local time.
How did the shooting unfold?
The tragic shooting occurred near midday on Monday, May 18, after the mother of one of the suspects contacted police, reporting that her son had fled with a friend and might be suicidal. Hours later, as police searched for the two teenagers, authorities discovered the three victims, including Abdullah, with gunshot wounds outside the Islamic Center of San Diego. Shortly thereafter, police located the two suspects, aged 17 and 18, deceased from self-inflicted wounds inside a vehicle several blocks from the mosque.
Chief Wahl confirmed that the shooting is being investigated as a hate crime, noting that “hateful rhetoric” was involved. Authorities confiscated over 30 firearms and a crossbow during searches of three residences linked to the suspects. These weapons—which included pistols, rifles, and long-barrel shotguns—were registered in the name of one of the suspects’ parents, according to FBI Special Agent Mark Remily.
Also read:
- Donald Trump retweeted three anti-Muslim videos: Who is the woman behind them?
- Trump deletes post comparing himself to Jesus – What are the three main issues behind the Trump and Pope Leo XIV dispute?
Federal investigators also uncovered “writings and various ideologies depicting religious and racial beliefs about how they envisioned the world should look,” Remily stated. He added, “These perpetrators did not discriminate who they hated,” though it remains unclear whether the mosque or the school was a specific target of the shooting. Investigators also found a manifesto but did not disclose further details about the document.
What was the US government’s response?
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized that the suspects “do not represent our city; these three Muslim men represent it.” US Vice President JD Vance condemned the shooting as “unacceptable,” urging American citizens to pray for all involved. “We don’t want that to happen in our country, and may God rest the souls of those who lost their lives,” he stated.
Vance also mentioned that his wife, Usha Vance, who was born and raised in San Diego, “definitely” knows people who frequent the mosque. He added that he and his wife often dine at a restaurant near the mosque when visiting his wife’s family. “Political violence, wherever it comes from, is unacceptable in the United States. Let’s talk to each other, not shoot each other when we disagree,” Vance asserted, noting that this is a principle the president also agrees with.
- BBC Investigation: Anti-Islam biker gang ran security at Gaza aid sites
- Hate crimes against Asian descendants in the United States on the rise
- Three US militiamen found guilty of plotting to bomb a mosque in America
Summary
Seorang penjaga keamanan, Amin Abdullah, dielu-elukan sebagai pahlawan setelah secara heroik mencegah tragedi yang lebih besar saat terjadi penembakan di sebuah masjid di San Diego pada 18 Mei. Abdullah baku tembak dengan dua remaja penyerang dan mengunci pintu masjid, menyelamatkan banyak nyawa termasuk 140 anak sekolah, sebelum ia sendiri tewas tertembak. Dua jemaah lainnya, Mansour Kaziha dan Nader Awad, juga meninggal setelah mengalihkan perhatian para penyerang, yang lebih lanjut membatasi jumlah korban.
Dua remaja pelaku, berusia 17 dan 18 tahun, kemudian meninggal akibat luka tembak yang mereka lakukan sendiri, dan identitas mereka tidak dirilis. Insiden ini diselidiki sebagai kejahatan kebencian, dengan pihak berwenang menemukan “retorika kebencian” serta tulisan dan ideologi yang terkait dengan keyakinan agama dan rasial pada para tersangka. Komunitas mengenang Abdullah sebagai pelindung yang baik dan berdedikasi, sementara pejabat mengutuk kekerasan dan menyerukan persatuan.