The bravery of a security guard who was shot dead along with two other worshippers at a San Diego mosque on Monday prevented the attack from being much worse, say police.
The guard was Amin Abdullah, a father of eight, as confirmed by Tazheen Nizam, a spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (Cair-SD).
It's fair to say his actions were heroic, said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl at a news briefing. Undoubtedly, he saved lives today. Abdullah, alongside worshippers Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were killed by two unidentified teenage attackers who later took their own lives.
According to police, Abdullah shot back at the attackers as they ran past him at the mosque's entrance. His fortitude is credited with initiating lockdown procedures that likely saved numerous lives, including those of 140 children attending a school within the mosque's premises.
Abdullah's actions diverted the attackers, leading them to engage with others in a nearby parking lot, where they shot Kaziha and Awad. Chief Wahl commended both Abdullah and the other victims for their roles in minimizing further casualties.
Known for his kindness in the community, friends described Abdullah as "the nicest man you'll ever meet." The mosque honored him as a courageous individual who prioritized the safety of others, stating he exemplified dedication even in his final moments.
A friend relayed Abdullah's intent to protect the community was a significant motive for his role as a security guard, performing the duty for more than a decade.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which occurred around noon, a community fundraiser for the victims has already collected over $2.9 million.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime; evidence suggests the suspects were motivated by hate, according to FBI agents. The community mourns the loss of Abdullah and his fellow worshippers, emphasizing their resilience and unity in the face of tragedy.
