Investigators from the San Diego Police Department said they recovered a shotgun and fuel containers bearing the logo of the SS, the Nazi paramilitary organisation, alongside “generalised hate rhetoric and hate speech” scrawled inside the vehicle.
Police believe the pair opened fire on worshippers outside the mosque shortly before midday prayers on Monday.
Officers had been searching for the suspects after Clark’s mother reported that her son, who was suicidal, had fled with her car and several firearms.
Police said the first emergency call came at around 11.43am local time. Officers arriving at the Islamic Centre found three people dead from gunshot wounds.
A fuel container used in the San Diego Mosque shooting that bears the SS symbol (Credit: X)[Missing Credit]
At almost the same time, police received additional reports of shots being fired from a vehicle about two blocks away. Responding officers discovered both teenage suspects dead at the second location.
Among those killed in the attack was Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the mosque and father of eight, who police said acted heroically during the attack and “undoubtedly saved lives”.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the incident as “a city and a community’s absolute worst nightmare”.
“There was no specific threat, especially no specific threat to the Islamic Centre. It was just general hate kind of speech that I think covered a wide gamut,” Wahl told reporters. “Again, we are still actively investigating this as we speak, but it was more generalised.”
In addition to the hate speech scrawled on one of the weapons involved in the shooting, a suicide note left in one of the suspect’s parents’ home featured a rant about racial pride, multiple law enforcement officials told CNN.
The FBI is assisting local police with the investigation, which authorities are treating as a possible hate crime.
In a statement expressing solidarity, the Jewish Federations of North America said it would “mourn alongside” the Islamic Centre in San Diego following the “horrific” shooting.
“No one should ever fear for their safety while gathering in prayer, community, or worship,” the umbrella organisation said. “This tragedy comes as more than 400 Jewish Federation leaders from across the country arrive In Washington, DC, to advocate lawmakers for $1 billion in security funding to help protect houses of worship and faith-based institutions nationwide.
“Today’s attack is yet another painful reminder that the threat facing religious communities in America is real, urgent, and growing.”
In the UK, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, calling it a “horrific act of violent hatred, and a devastating moment for the local community.”
He added: “I am acutely aware of the fear that this type of attack creates for Muslim communities around the world, including here in the UK.
“In the face of this kind of attack, communities of faith must stand together, to demand that all people deserve to live in peace and security.”
