Image: from Standard News X @standardnews
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Authorities in California continue to investigate the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego after police confirmed that the attack was carried out by two teenage suspects who later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The shooting, which took place on Monday at the mosque in the Clairemont area of San Diego, left three people dead and shocked communities across the United States. Investigators are treating the case as a possible hate crime amid evidence pointing to extremist and Islamophobic motives.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that the suspects were aged 17 and 18, though police have not formally released their identities. Multiple American media outlets identified them as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18.
🚨 BREAKING: The Islamic Center of San Diego have been identified as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vasquez, 18, per NBC
Prior to the shooting, one of the mothers alerted police her son was sulcldaI, and said he stole her guns and vehicle.
Law enforcement did not get there in time,… pic.twitter.com/yL62rZfVPw
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 18, 2026
According to investigators, both suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle several blocks away from the Islamic center after allegedly opening fire on a landscaper during their escape.
Police said evidence recovered during the investigation included hate-related rhetoric and possible extremist symbolism. Authorities are reportedly examining Islamophobic notes discovered inside the suspects’ vehicle.
“At this point, there was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved,” Chief Wahl told reporters, while emphasizing that the investigation remains active and additional search warrants are expected in the coming days.
Reports indicate that one of the suspects had links to Madison High School, located near the mosque. NBC News reported that Cain Clark attended school virtually and was expected to graduate later this month.
Family members expressed shock following the tragedy. David Clark, identified as Cain’s grandfather, told reporters that the family was devastated and struggling to understand what happened.
Additional information about Caleb Vazquez has not yet emerged publicly.
Investigators also reportedly recovered a gas can marked with stylized “SS” letters near the suspects’ vehicle, a symbol commonly associated with the Schutzstaffel, the Nazi paramilitary organization responsible for many atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
The attack has reignited concerns over extremist violence and hate crimes targeting religious communities in the United States. Muslim advocacy organizations and local leaders condemned the shooting and called for stronger protections against religiously motivated violence.
Authorities have not yet announced whether the suspects acted alone in planning the attack or whether they had connections to any organized extremist networks.
The Islamic Center of San Diego remains closed as investigators continue to process the crime scene and community members mourn the victims.