Federal investigators have uncovered materials targeting the Islamic faith inside a vehicle belonging to two teenagers who carried out a deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque earlier this week, according to a Department of Justice official familiar with the case.
The suspects have been named as Caleb Vasquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, the official confirmed to Reuters. Both individuals were discovered deceased in their vehicle following the Monday attack, with authorities indicating they died from what appeared to be gunshot wounds they inflicted upon themselves.
Law enforcement officials previously stated they were treating the incident as a hate crime but have not released additional information regarding potential motives behind the attack.
According to the federal official, Clark’s mother is working with investigators. The shooting unfolded after police received an urgent call from one of the teenagers’ mothers, who reported her son was experiencing suicidal thoughts and had taken three firearms along with her car before fleeing.
Officers initially responded to a nearby shopping center and the teenager’s school before receiving reports about the mosque shooting.
The targeted facility serves as San Diego County’s largest Islamic worship center and is home to the Bright Horizon Academy. School officials confirmed all students remained safe during Monday’s incident.
A community fundraising campaign led by CAIR San Diego working alongside the Islamic Center of San Diego has collected more than $1.7 million to support the family of security guard Amin Abdullah, who died in the attack. Officials have praised Abdullah for his actions in limiting additional casualties.
San Diego’s mayor, Todd Gloria, spoke with CNN on Tuesday about plans to increase security measures throughout the city.
“There’s always a concern about other sick and twisted individuals who will take inspiration from this tragedy and try and replicate,” he said. “No expense will be spared in protecting the people of this city.”
