Hero security guard who died trying to save others in San Diego mosque shooting identified as father of eight children

A heroic security guard died while trying to save others when a pair of teenagers opened fire at a mosque in California.

Amin Abdullah, a father of eight, was among those killed when teenage shooters identified by NBC News as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont at around 11.40am on Monday.

He quickly sprang into action to protect others, Police Chief Scott Wahl said at a news conference.

‘We do believe the security guard was able to help at least minimize the situation to the front area of the mosque,’ Wahl said Monday night.

‘At this point, I think it’s fair to say his actions were heroic,’ he continued. ‘Undoubtedly, he saved lives today.’

Anees Faraj, a security guard who has worked at the mosque off and on for over 10 years, told the Daily Mail the guard shot dead in the attack was named Amin, and he had eight children.

Faraj, whose comments were translated from Arabic by his daughter Basmah, said he was not working today and so was lucky to have avoided the attack himself.

He said he had never experienced anything like it during his years of work for the mosque.

+8
View gallery

Amin Abdullah, a father of eight, was among those killed when Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego at around 11.40am on Monday

+8
View gallery

Police rushed to the scene following reports of a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego

Faraj has been a licensed security guard since 2013.

‘A friend of mine, a regular worshipper at the mosque, told me about the news,’ he said. ‘It is very shocking.’

His daughter described Faraj shaking his head in disbelief at the deadly shooting, allegedly perpetrated by two teens.

Two others were also found dead outside the mosque when authorities responded to the scene and started searching for the suspects, who were later found dead inside a vehicle of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Authorities said the chaotic chain of events began Monday morning when they received a phone call from a mother who reported that her teenage son had run away with several weapons.

She claimed he was suicidal and had left behind a note, the contents of which Wahl said he would not disclose – though he said authorities are now probing anti-Islamic writings suspects Clark and Caleb Vazquez left behind.

‘That began to trigger a larger threat assessment picture,’ Wahl said. ‘Our threat management unit began to take the tips and leads that we had and utilize the technology we have available to us.’

Police then responded to the mosque within four minutes of receiving a call about shots fired, with up to 100 officers combing the building for the suspects.

+8
View gallery

Panicked parents arrived at the scene to retrieve their children after two teenage gunman opened fire

But the two teenagers had fled the scene following the shooting. They were found dead inside a vehicle a short time later of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

A landscaper at a house nearby was also shot during the rampage, but survived. It is believed a bullet ricocheted off of the helmet he was wearing at the time.

Fortunately, no children were injured during the shooting, the imam of the mosque confirmed.

The Muslim place of worship is also home to the Al Rashid school, which was formerly known as the Islamic School of San Diego.

Kids in kindergarten through third grade attend the school.

‘The entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff and the teachers are safe out of the Islamic Center,’ Imam Taha Hassane said in a Facebook video update.

‘We have a few casualties, not confirmed yet. There is no threat at this moment, but we want everyone to stay away from the Islamic Center of San Diego.’

+8
View gallery

A school at the mosque was evacuated amid the gunfire

+8
View gallery

Parents were reunited with their children at the nearby San Diego Clairemont Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Crowds of young students were seen being evacuated from the building by law enforcement officers.

Panicked parents rushed to the scene to pick up their children after police set up a reunification site at San Diego Clairemont Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

The shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center came at the beginning of Dhu’l-Hijja today, one of the holiest months on the Muslim calendar

It translates to ‘month of the pilgrimage’ and marks a time when millions of Muslims across the world embark on the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Following the shooting, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he and his wife were left ‘horrified by today’s violent attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where families and children gather, and neighbors worship in peace and fellowship.

‘Today, this community space was shattered by gunfire.

‘California sends our deepest condolences to the families and communities impacted by today’s shooting,’ the governor continued.

+8
View gallery

Sheriff’s deputies rushed to the scene following reports of shots fired at the Islamic Center

‘Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.

‘Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and first responders who acted swiftly to protect the children and worshippers.

‘To the San Diego Muslim community: California stands with you.’

President Donald Trump also called the shooting a ‘terrible situation.’

He said he has been briefed on the incident, but vowed: ‘We’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.’

The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County, with around 5,000 members.

source: Hero security guard who died trying to save others in San Diego mosque shooting identified as father of eight children | Daily Mail Online