- Three men were killed by two teen shooters at a San Diego mosque while saving roughly 140 children who were in the building during the attack.
- The men were shot while trying to delay and distract the gunmen, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
- Amin Abdullah, a security guard for the mosque, confronted the gunmen and exchanged gunfire as he warned others to go into lockdown.
- 'All three of our victims did not die in vain. Without distracting the attention... there would have been many more fatalities,' said Wahl.
- Kaziha, also known as Abu Ezz, was recognized as an integral part of the mosque since it was built in the 1980s.
- Nadir Awad lived across the street from the mosque and attended prayers every single day.
- The men’s actions were described as embodying the virtues of Islamic community in San Diego.
Three men were fatally shot while valiantly defending the Islamic Center of San Diego from two teenage shooters on Monday, saving around 140 children inside. Their acts of bravery not only disrupted the attackers but also exemplified the strength and unity of the local community.1
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl emphasized the significance of the men's actions: “All three of our victims did not die in vain. Without distracting the attention, without delaying the actions of these two individuals, without question, there would have been many more fatalities.”25
Among the victims, Abdullah, who had served as a security guard for about a decade, confronted the shooters, exchanging gunfire while warning others to lockdown. Kaziha, integral to the mosque since its inception in the 1980s, and Awad, a daily attendee of prayers, stood alongside him in defense. Their commitment highlights the core values of the Islamic community in San Diego, deeply mourning their loss.68
Community members gathered to pay tributes, reinforcing the idea that the victims were beloved figures. Hassane, a local community figure, remarked that the men exemplified dedication and courage in perilous circumstances, further uniting the community amidst tragedy.
“Three men were killed by teen shooters at a San Diego mosque while saving 140 children in the building during the attack. Their actions have been described as embodying the virtues of the community.”
Victims' background and community impact
Kaziha, also known as Abu Ezz, was recognized as an integral part of the mosque since it was built in the 1980s. Nadir Awad lived across the street from the mosque and attended prayers every single day. The men’s actions were described as embodying the virtues of Islamic community in San Diego.
