'Heroic' security guard died 'saving lives' at California mosque - as two suspected teenage gunmen named
The security guard, who has been identified as father of eight, was shot dead alongside two others - with the two suspected gunmen found dead by police with self-inflicted wounds
A security guard who was shot dead by two suspected teenage gunmen at a California mosque has been hailed a 'hero' by authorities - as he was revealed to be a father of eight.
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Community members at the mosque in Clairemont, San Diego, identified the victim as a security guard named Amin Abdullah - a father to eight children, who "saved lives" as the shooting unfurled.
Mr Abdullah was one of three men to die after two shooters opened fire on the mosque, with the the two teenage suspects found dead with self-inflicted injuries in a nearby carpark.
The suspects have since been named as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Velasquez, law enforcement officials have confirmed.
It comes as it was revealed that the mother of the suspect alerted police to the threat posed by her teenage son and his friend hours before the fatal attack took place.
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The security guard "undoubtedly, he saved lives today," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed.
They added that the guard "played a pivotal role" in preventing the attack from being "much worse".
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated: "It's fair to say his actions were heroic."
Fellow security guard Anees Faraj revealed that the Mr Abdullah had worked at the mosque for more than a decade and had eight children.
He added that three men died at the Islamic Center [sic] in what is being treated as a hate crime by the FBI.
Chief Wahl said: "Our hearts go out to the families that are in this moment being notified of what has happened to their loved ones".
The chief added that the shooters were found dead inside a vehicle near the mosque, with wounds that are thought to be self-inflicted.
It comes as tributes and flowers were laid close to the scene, with one message describing Mr Abdullah as “the nicest man you’ll ever meet".
The police department said: "The threat at the Islamic center has been neutralized [sic]."
Injured people have reportedly been taken to the local Sharp Memorial Hospital, which says it has activated its disaster protocols.
Law enforcement swarmed to the mosque after emergency services were called following reports of gunshots.
Police in tactical gear armed with rifles were later spotted on the roof of the mosque, near its traditional dome, after the shooting.
The centre is the San Diego-area branch of the Council on American-Islamic relations, which confirmed that scores of children were attending the school inside the complex at the time of the shooting.
Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center later said all children and staff at the school were safe and accounted for.
In a video on social media, the Imam said: "We are safe. The entire school is safe. All the kids are safe, and the teachers are safe. We have few casualties, not confirmed yet, there is no threat at this moment".
"We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego," CAIR-San Diego's executive director, Tazheen Nizam, said in a statement.
"No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers," Nizam said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the situation, it has been reported.