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FBI Says San Diego Mosque Attackers Were Radicalized Online Before Deadly Shooting

The Daily Desk — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:24:37 +0000

Federal investigators say the two teenagers responsible for the deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque met online and were radicalized through extremist content before carrying out what authorities describe as a hate-motivated attack that killed three people and shocked Muslim communities across the United States.

The FBI said writings recovered from the suspects expressed hatred toward multiple religions, races, women, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals. Authorities identified the suspects as 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark, who died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds after the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego. The shooting is being investigated as both a hate crime and a possible act of domestic terrorism.

Online Radicalization Under Investigation

According to federal officials, the teenagers first connected through online platforms where they consumed white supremacist and extremist material. Investigators said the pair shared ideological influences linked to previous far-right mass attacks, including references to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.

The FBI said writings found in the suspects’ vehicle and homes reflected what officials described as a “broad hatred” targeting Muslims, Jews, Black people, immigrants, and political groups across the ideological spectrum. Authorities also recovered more than 30 firearms, tactical equipment, and ammunition during searches connected to the investigation.

Investigators are continuing to examine whether the suspects communicated with extremist networks online or received encouragement from broader hate-based communities operating on internet forums and social media platforms.

Mosque Security Guard Praised as Hero

Officials and community leaders said the death toll could have been significantly higher without the actions of mosque security guard Amin Abdullah, who confronted the attackers and initiated a lockdown procedure that protected approximately 140 children attending classes inside the Islamic center.

Two additional victims, identified as Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad, were also praised for helping direct people away from danger during the shooting. Witnesses and investigators said the attackers arrived heavily armed and wearing body armor before opening fire outside the mosque complex.

The Islamic Center of San Diego, one of the largest Muslim institutions in Southern California, has long participated in interfaith outreach programs and community engagement efforts. Community leaders said the mosque had previously received threatening messages but had never experienced violence on this scale.

Growing Concern Over Extremist Violence

The attack has renewed national debate about online radicalization, domestic extremism, and security at places of worship in the United States. Civil rights organizations and Muslim advocacy groups said anti-Muslim incidents have increased in recent years amid wider concerns about hate crimes and extremist rhetoric online.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack and called for stronger international efforts to combat intolerance and extremist violence targeting religious communities.

Authorities said the investigation remains active as federal agents continue analyzing digital evidence, online communications, and the suspects’ writings to determine the full extent of the planning behind the attack.

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San Diego Mosque Shooting Sparks Security Concerns Over Religious Hate Violence

The Daily Desk — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:27:35 +0000

Authorities in San Diego are investigating a deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that left three people dead after two teenage suspects opened fire before later being found dead nearby, in what police described as a suspected hate crime.

The attack unfolded Monday at the mosque complex in the Clairemont area of San Diego, one of the largest Muslim community centers in Southern California. According to police officials, emergency responders arrived within minutes after reports of an active shooter near midday local time.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the victims included a mosque security guard who may have prevented a larger loss of life during the incident. Authorities stated that the two suspects, believed to be teenagers, were later discovered dead inside a vehicle several blocks from the scene from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

The mosque also houses the Al Rashid School, where children were attending classes at the time of the attack. Officials confirmed that students and staff were safely evacuated as heavily armed police units secured the area. Aerial footage broadcast by local media showed children being escorted away from the complex while emergency vehicles surrounded nearby streets.

Hate Crime Investigation Expands

Investigators said early evidence suggests the shooting may have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred, although authorities have not yet publicly detailed the suspects’ backgrounds or possible ideological motives. Federal agencies, including the FBI, are assisting local investigators.

The incident has intensified concerns over the security of religious institutions across the United States, particularly amid a broader rise in threats targeting faith-based communities. Analysts noted that attacks on houses of worship increasingly carry wider political and social implications, especially in multicultural urban centers.

Leaders from Muslim advocacy organizations condemned the violence and called for stronger protections for religious minorities. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said no community should fear attending prayers or educational activities because of religious identity.

National Leaders Respond

California Governor Gavin Newsom said state officials were closely monitoring developments and praised emergency responders for rapidly securing the area. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also acknowledged the scale of the emergency response as investigations continued.

Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, described the mosque as a longstanding hub for interfaith outreach and community engagement. He noted that a group of non-Muslim visitors had toured the center earlier in the day to learn more about Islam and local outreach initiatives.

Security experts said the shooting could prompt renewed discussions around safeguarding religious institutions nationwide, especially those viewed as vulnerable to ideologically motivated violence.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish a full timeline of events and determine the motive behind the attack.

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Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church Kills at Least 20 Worshippers

The Daily Desk — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:35:37 +0000

Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church Kills at Least 20, Dozens Injured in Suspected ISIS Attack

A quiet Sunday service at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus turned into a scene of horror after a suicide bomber attacked during mass, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 50 others, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health.

A Devastating Attack During Worship

The bombing struck Mar Elias Church, one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the Syrian capital, while it was filled with worshippers. According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, the attacker opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest inside the church.

Though no group has claimed responsibility, authorities say the attack was likely carried out by a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS—a chilling reminder that extremist threats persist in a country still scarred by over a decade of conflict.

Harrowing Scenes and First Responder Efforts

Footage shared on Syrian social media showed the grim aftermath: shattered glass, broken pews, and blood covering the sanctuary floor. The White Helmets, Syria’s volunteer civil defense force, reported that emergency teams rushed to treat the wounded and recover the bodies.

“The treacherous hand of evil struck,” the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch said in a statement. The explosion happened right at the church entrance, it added, calling the victims “martyrs” and offering prayers for their families and for those injured.

Despite the tragedy, the church reaffirmed its resilience:

“We reject all fear and intimidation,” the Patriarchate wrote, “and remain unwavering in our faith.”

Outrage and Condemnation Around the World

The attack drew swift and widespread international condemnation.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressed “outrage” at what he described as a “heinous crime,” urging unity in rejecting terrorism and extremism in all forms.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, called the bombing an act of “cowardice,” saying it has “no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving.”

Foreign ministries from across the region and Europe—including Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands—also issued strong condemnations.

A Painful Reminder of a Fragile Peace

While Syria has seen a decrease in large-scale violence in recent years, attacks like this are a reminder of the fragile security situation and the enduring threat of extremism. For many Syrians, especially religious minorities, peace remains precarious.

For the congregation of Mar Elias Church, Sunday was meant to be a day of reflection and faith. Instead, it became one of mourning—and a solemn call for unity, healing, and vigilance.

Source: CNN – Suicide bomber attack on church in Syria kills at least 20 people

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What We Know About the Suspect Behind the Boulder Antisemitic Attack

The Daily Desk — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:42:05 +0000

What We Know About the Colorado Suspect Behind the Antisemitic Attack in Boulder

For a year, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, quietly planned a violent act fueled by hatred—one he would ultimately unleash on a peaceful Jewish demonstration in downtown Boulder, Colorado. What started as a quiet life in the U.S. with a wife and five children ended in flames, violence, and a federal hate crime charge.

A Carefully Planned Attack

On Sunday, Soliman brought a homemade flamethrower, Molotov cocktails, and a backpack filled with gasoline to a peaceful rally calling for the release of hostages from Gaza. According to federal documents, Soliman attacked the demonstrators while shouting “Free Palestine” and “End Zionists!” The FBI says 12 people were injured, some suffering severe burns.

Authorities say Soliman admitted he had intended to kill “all Zionist people,” calling it a mission he postponed only to see his daughter graduate high school.

What Led Up to the Violence

Soliman’s anger had reportedly been simmering for years, driven by strong anti-Zionist and anti-Israel beliefs. His digital footprint shows support for the Muslim Brotherhood and former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted in a 2013 military coup. Posts on a Facebook account matching his name included symbolic imagery supporting protests at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, where Egyptian forces brutally cracked down on Morsi supporters.

He told federal agents that he learned to build Molotov cocktails by watching YouTube tutorials and took a concealed-carry course, but couldn’t legally purchase a firearm due to his immigration status.

A Father With a Double Life

In stark contrast to the violence he planned, Soliman was also known as a father and former accountant. He lived in Colorado Springs with his family and had brief stints as an employee at Veros Health and as an Uber driver. Neighbors say they occasionally saw his children playing outside, and one described his wife as friendly.

His daughter, believed to be the student profiled in a Colorado Springs Gazette article, earned a scholarship to pursue medical school. In her essay, she described her father undergoing a life-changing surgery that restored his ability to walk—an event that inspired her medical dreams.

“Coming to the USA has fundamentally changed me,” she wrote. “Most importantly, I came to appreciate that family is the unchanging support.”

From Immigration Hopes to Federal Charges

Soliman first attempted to enter the U.S. in 2005 but was denied a visa. He successfully entered in August 2022 as a non-immigrant visitor and later received a two-year work permit, which expired this past March.

Before the attack, Soliman left behind a hidden iPhone with messages to his family and a journal. On the day of the assault, he disguised himself in a utility vest and bought flowers from Home Depot—possibly to avoid suspicion.

Witnesses initially mistook him for a gardener.

He attacked the demonstrators with the flamethrower and tried to use Molotov cocktails, according to authorities. Police later found at least 14 unlit firebombs in a nearby container. Bystanders captured video of Soliman shirtless, yelling, and pacing, just before his arrest.

Law Enforcement: No Prior Red Flags

Despite the violent nature of the attack, Soliman wasn’t previously on law enforcement’s radar. His only known interactions with Colorado police involved a few minor traffic infractions and non-criminal calls to his residence.

He has no criminal history in the state.

Hate Crime Charges and Community Reaction

Soliman now faces both federal hate crime charges and state charges of attempted murder. According to court documents, he admitted he targeted the group because he “hated the Zionist group” and believed they were “taking over our land,” referring to Palestine.

The Islamic Center of Boulder publicly condemned the attack, calling it “targeted violence.” Meanwhile, Jewish leaders are renewing calls for increased vigilance in the face of rising antisemitic threats.

This attack comes just weeks after a gunman killed two staff members at the Israeli Embassy—another incident where the attacker reportedly shouted “Free Palestine!”

Source: CNN – What we know about Colorado suspect’s life leading up to antisemitic attack

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