The three people killed were identified at a press conference as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kazra and Nadir Awad.
Shooting reported at San Diego mosque
San Diego police responded to an Islamic center for a possible shooter, authorities said.
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Loved ones are beginning to share memories of the three men murdered at a San Diego mosque as donations pour in to help the families.
Two suspects opened fire at an Islamic center in San Diego just before noon on May 18, police said, and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
The three people killed were identified at a press conference as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kazra and Nadir Awad. They were hailed as heroes for their bravery in confronting the gunman.
Authorities said Abdullah, a security guard at the center, opened fire on the gunmen, who then returned to the parking lot to attract their attention.
In a statement, the center described the “brave” men as “three pillars of our community.”
“Their absence leaves a void that can never be filled,” the center said. “They weren’t just community members, they were family.”
Here’s what we know about the victims of the San Diego mosque shooting.
‘Heroic’ security guard remains memorable
Abdullah, a father of eight children, worked as a security guard at a mosque for many years. More than $1.8 million was raised for his family.
Maite Gutierrez, who worked as an administrator at the Islamic Center school for five years, recalled how she and Abdullah bonded because they both converted to Islam. She said he was very alert and loved at the center.
“He greeted everyone who came into the center,” said Gutierrez, 34. “He was loved by his students and teachers alike.”
During his vacation, Abdullah often went to the shooting range and honed his archery skills. He posted a video on his Facebook page of himself firing an arrow at a target in his backyard. Gutierrez said he often talked about his love of archery and his latest handmade bow and arrow.
In a video shared by CAIR San Diego, Abdullah said he was born and raised in San Diego and that his favorite food is “halal burgers, of course.” The group said on social media that Abdullah “always had a smile on his face and warmly greeted everyone who entered the masjid.”
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall said the security guard was killed in a shootout with the suspects and called his actions “heroic.”
“His actions undoubtedly delayed, disrupted, and ultimately deterred these two individuals from gaining access to large areas of the mosque. There were as many as 140 children in the mosque within 15 feet of the suspect,” Wahl said.
Among the victims was a grandfather who worked at the mosque for decades.
Omar Abusham, program and outreach coordinator for the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Kazra has been attending the mosque since it was first built and has served the community for nearly 40 years. Kazula is survived by his wife, five children and grandchildren, he said.
“He ran the shop, but he also played a big role in helping with the day-to-day operations inside the mosque,” Absham said. “And whatever the community needed, he was there to support.”
Imam Taha Hasan echoed this, saying that Qazra played roles such as handyman, cook, and caretaker.
“For the past 22 years, I have been the imam and director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, and I have never done anything without him,” Hassan said. “He’s at the top of my list of people to call.”
The school teacher’s husband rushed to the scene.
Absham said Awad has lived near the mosque for many years and his wife is a teacher at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Absham said Awad ran to the scene when the shooting occurred.
“He lives very, very close,” Absham said. “He heard gunshots.”
Hassan said Awad went to pray at the mosque every day and died next to Kazra in the parking lot.
“Unfortunately, they sacrificed their lives to protect the entire community within the Islamic Center of San Diego,” Hassan said.
