Family of San Diego Shooting Suspect Issues Apology

Caleb Vasquez, one of the teenagers involved in the mass shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center, is on the autism spectrum and was influenced by toxic online rhetoric, according to a statement from his family.

“We are still trying to process the horrific events of the past few days. Our son has now filed a complaint against the Islamic Center,” the family shared through their attorney, Colin Rudolph.

“We acknowledge that there’s nothing we can say or do to erase the harm caused by his actions. We are heartbroken and utterly devastated. We strongly condemn the hateful and violent actions,” they expressed.

The family honored the three victims—Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad—and thanked them for their bravery in preventing further casualties during the attack. The three victims were laid to rest in San Diego on Thursday.

On Monday, Vasquez and 17-year-old Kane Clark opened fire at the mosque, leading to the tragic deaths of three individuals before they fled the scene in a white BMW. They livestreamed the incident.

Tragically, under Vasquez’s encouragement, Clark shot him in the head before turning the gun on himself.

The family acknowledged the profound pain inflicted upon the victims, their families, and the larger Muslim community, recognizing that no apology could mend the loss experienced.

“We reject hatred, extremism, bigotry, and all forms of violence. We stand against the ideologies and actions that led to this catastrophe. These do not reflect the values we have instilled in our family or the beliefs we hold dear,” the family stated.

They further noted that their son’s actions were in stark contrast to the principles they raised him with, emphasizing their diverse background and commitment to compassion and acceptance across cultures and religions.

“Caleb was on the autism spectrum, and it’s painfully clear that he faced struggles. He had a complex relationship with his identity, often feeling conflicted,” they explained.

It has come to light that Vasquez and Clark shared a manifesto before the shooting, filled with extremist imagery and statements advocating for a race war. The weapons used in the attack bore hate-filled messages such as “It’s time for war!”

The family conveyed that they believe exposure to online extremism played a significant role in their son’s radicalization. “There’s no justification for his actions, but we’ve begun to understand how perilous online spaces that foster hatred can be,” they reflected.

They expressed a sense of helplessness regarding their son’s “mental instability,” admitting a painful regret over what more could have potentially been done to avert the tragedy.

“As parents, we are grieving in a way we never imagined possible. But our suffering pale in comparison to that of the victims and their families. This moment must be centered on the innocent lives lost, the survivors forever affected, and the community in mourning,” they added.

“We only hope that this tragedy doesn’t fuel further hatred or violence against any community. Caleb’s actions stemmed from deep confusion and misguided beliefs, and our wish is for no other family to endure such sorrow,” they concluded.

The three victims were interred together during a ceremony last Thursday, attended by hundreds from the Muslim community, mourning for Abdullah, a security guard and father of eight, who, according to police, played a role in preventing more deaths.

A prayer service took place at Snapdragon Stadium on the San Diego State University campus, with a message on the Islamic Center’s website naming the three men as heroes for protecting children at the mosque.

Mourners paid their respects near the deceased before they were laid to rest at La Vista Memorial Park in National City.