San Diego, CA – A deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday morning resulted in the deaths of three adult males and has triggered a multi-agency investigation. Authorities have identified the suspects as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, both of whom were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle several blocks from the scene. The investigation is actively exploring the possibility of the incident being a hate crime.
The sequence of events began hours before the shooting when San Diego police received a call from a mother reporting her teenage son as a runaway. She expressed concern for his well-being, stating he was suicidal and had taken several firearms and a vehicle, leaving with another individual dressed in camouflage. This report initiated a broader search effort across San Diego.
Law enforcement officials utilized license plate readers to track the suspects' vehicle. The vehicle was reportedly spotted in multiple locations across the city, including near a shopping center and a high school connected to one of the teens. Officers were dispatched to these areas to conduct threat assessments as investigators worked to locate the missing vehicle and ascertain the suspects' movements.
The situation dramatically escalated around midday when police received reports of an active shooter at the Islamic Center. Officers arrived on the scene within minutes, discovering multiple victims outside the mosque. Simultaneously, additional reports emerged of gunfire in nearby neighborhoods, including an incident where a landscaper was reportedly targeted but not struck due to protective gear deflecting a bullet.
Investigators located both suspects inside a parked vehicle shortly thereafter, where they were found deceased from what authorities believe to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed the deaths of three adult males during the attack at the Islamic Center, including a longtime security guard described by community members as a father of eight. No children were harmed during the incident, and students and staff at the Islamic Center’s affiliated school were safely evacuated. The facility remains closed as forensic and digital evidence is processed by investigators and federal partners, including the FBI.
Two senior law enforcement officials informed NBC News that investigators recovered writings containing anti-Islamic themes from the suspects’ vehicle. Additionally, a note believed to have been left by one of the teens prior to the attack was also found, The Post Millennial reported. Officials also reported that one of the firearms involved in the incident contained disturbing markings, which are now part of the broader evidentiary review.
While authorities have not yet formally established a definitive motive, investigators state that the presence of extremist-themed writings and pre-attack planning indicators has led them to consider the shooting a potential hate crime. San Diego officials emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages, noting that the classification of the incident is provisional as evidence continues to be reviewed.
Social media has seen unverified claims circulating, suggesting that Cain Clark was "trans" and in a romantic relationship with Caleb Vazquez. These claims have not been confirmed by law enforcement, are not included in official investigative findings, and have not been independently verified as of publication. The ongoing investigation aims to reconstruct the exact sequence of events, including the timing of each location visit and the suspects' movements leading up to the attack.
