• Three victims of the San Diego mosque shooting have been identified as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad.
• The attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime, with evidence of hate rhetoric involved.
• The teenage suspects, found dead near the crime scene, had met online and shared writings expressing hate.

Three victims have been identified in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where victims Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad were killed on Monday. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described Abdullah’s actions as "heroic," stating that he played a pivotal role in preventing the attack from being much worse by engaging the assailants. Wahl credited the victims with helping distract the shooters, potentially saving the lives of 140 children present at the mosque's school during the attack, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Kaziha, a 78-year-old longtime employee of the mosque, died after calling authorities during the incident. Described as a "pillar" of the mosque, he had been integral to its operations since its establishment in the 1980s. Awad, a devoted member of the community, rushed to the mosque from his home across the street upon hearing the gunfire, further demonstrating the community's commitment to each other in times of crisis, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

The teenage suspects, aged 17 and 18, reportedly met online and exhibited a "broad hatred" toward various religions and races before the incident. Authorities discovered writings reflecting their violent ideology, which further underscores the rise in hate crimes against religious communities, particularly amidst ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Investigators are examining whether there were broader plans by the shooters to carry out their intentions, according to Le Monde and BBC.

Authorities indicated that the suspects were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle shortly after the attack, leading to questions regarding warning signs that may have been overlooked before the incident. In the days following the attack, community members have rallied to support the victims' families, raising significant funds to assist those impacted, highlighting the solidarity within the community during this tragic time, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC.