Daijiworld Media Network – San Diego
San Diego, May 22: The family of one of the suspects involved in the deadly shooting at a mosque in San Diego has said exposure to hateful and extremist content online contributed to his radicalisation and violent beliefs.
In a statement released through the family’s attorney, the family of 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez apologised for the attack and condemned the extremist ideology linked to the incident.
Authorities said Caleb Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark carried out the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three people before dying by suicide. Investigators believe the two suspects met online.
Law enforcement officials are currently examining a lengthy document allegedly posted online by the suspects. According to investigators, the writings reportedly contained anti-Islamic, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ views along with Nazi symbolism and references to accelerationism — a violent white supremacist ideology advocating social collapse to establish a white ethnostate.
In their statement, the Vazquez family said the beliefs held by their son did not reflect their own values and strongly condemned the actions that led to the tragedy.
The family apologised to the victims’ families and acknowledged the bravery of those who acted to prevent further casualties during the attack.
“Our son was on the autism spectrum, and it became painfully clear to us that he struggled deeply with parts of his own identity,” the family stated.
They further said that exposure to extremist propaganda, hateful rhetoric and toxic online communities may have played a major role in his radicalisation.
“We have come to recognise how dangerous online spaces can become when hatred and violence are normalised,” the statement added.
The family also revealed that they had attempted to support Vazquez through what they described as mental instability and had encouraged him to seek professional help voluntarily.
Appealing to others struggling with violent or extremist thoughts, the family urged individuals to seek help before innocent lives are lost.
The three victims killed in the shooting were identified as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.
Authorities said Abdullah, who worked as a security guard at the mosque, exchanged gunfire with the attackers and activated the mosque’s lockdown protocol after being shot, helping protect nearly 140 children who were sheltering inside the building.
Police said the gunmen later shot and killed Kaziha and Awad in the parking area outside the mosque.
The family concluded by expressing grief for the victims and the wider community affected by the tragedy, while hoping the incident would not inspire further hatred or violence.