A sharp-eyed security guard is being credited with potentially preventing another tragedy at the Islamic Center of San Diego after police stopped a suspicious vehicle circling the mosque on the one-month anniversary of a deadly mass shooting that left three worshippers dead.
Background
The incident unfolded Thursday when a security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego noticed a vehicle repeatedly passing by the property, Imam Taha Hassane told KGTV. With heightened security still in place following May's massacre, the guard quickly alerted authorities already stationed at the mosque.
"Our security guard noticed that there was a car passing by multiple times," Hassane said.
May 18 mass shooting killed three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego: Amin Abdullah, the mosque's security guard and father of eight who police say prevented additional casualties; Nader Awad; and Mansoor Kazziha. The teenage shooters, Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez, then turned the gun on themselves.
The suspects co-authored a manifesto featuring Nazi imagery that matched materials found in their vehicle following the attack, according to law enforcement sources.
The Investigation
Officers already stationed at the mosque immediately responded when notified about the suspicious vehicle, authorities said. Police located the car a short distance from the Islamic Center and detained the driver.
Inside the vehicle, officers discovered "a Nazi flag as well as a suspicious canister," per the San Diego Police Department.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Metro Arson Strike Team was requested to respond and evaluate the suspicious item," police said in a statement. Officials evacuated nearby businesses and homes during the investigation.
"At this time, there is no active threat to the Islamic Center of San Diego," SDPD stated, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Law enforcement has maintained a consistent presence at the mosque since May's attack, with leadership working closely with safety professionals to monitor the situation. The mosque is also collaborating with a private security firm to evaluate additional protective measures, including handheld metal detector screenings and policies requiring visitors to leave large bags in designated areas outside the building.
"Thankful for having the officer here at the time, so he did what was supposed to be done, and the response of the law enforcement was done immediately," Hassane said. "We are healing, we are recovering slowly, it's a process, it's going to take some time, but we are coming back stronger."
Key Takeaways
- A security guard spotted a vehicle repeatedly circling the Islamic Center of San Diego on Thursday and alerted police
- Officers stopped the car and detained the driver; investigators found a Nazi flag and suspicious canister inside
- The incident occurred exactly one month after the May 18 mass shooting that killed three worshippers, including the mosque's security guard
- Police have determined no active threat exists at this time, though the investigation is ongoing
What's Next
Detectives continue investigating Thursday's incident. No additional information about the detained driver or potential charges has been released.
The Islamic Center of San Diego and San Diego Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on potential upcoming court proceedings.