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A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina is facing murder charges tied to the deadly San Diego mosque shooting, after authorities said she helped amplify the attack by recording a livestream and circulating the attackers’ manifesto.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill announced Monday that the teen, named in court documents as Sarah L. Santiago, had been indicted on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy, The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors say Santiago was not in California when the May 18 attack unfolded, but allege she played a role from afar by capturing and helping spread the gunmen’s livestream, as well as making their manifesto public.
“She disseminated that information. And she published their manifesto,” O’Neill said.
Community members stand outside the Islamic Center of San Diego while police vehicles remain at the site one day after the fatal shooting on May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Authorities said Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, entered the Islamic Center of San Diego armed and with the intent to kill worshippers inside.
The attackers fatally shot three men — Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad and Mansour Kaziha — who confronted them during the assault and are credited with helping stop an even greater loss of life.
The attackers later died by suicide in a vehicle nearby, police said.
Authorities said the mosque was one target in a broader attack plan.
“Their plan that day was to commit mass murders not only at the mosque, but to follow up at a local Jewish temple. And finally, at a predominantly African-American high school there in town,” O’Neill said.
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Candles bearing the names of victims are placed outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 20, 2026. (Ty O’Neil/AP Photo)
The indictment alleges Santiago agreed before the attack to record and distribute the gunmen’s livestream and publish their manifesto. She is also accused of buying a patch bearing a white-supremacist symbol for one of the attackers to wear during the shooting, The Associated Press reported.
O’Neill said Santiago could face charges in North Carolina even though she was not physically present in California.
“She didn’t have to be in California, she’s in our jurisdiction,” O’Neill said. “And today, a grand jury indicted her and held her responsible for her actions leading up to that disastrous day in May.”
O’Neill noted that North Carolina law allows a 17-year-old accused of such conduct to be treated as an adult.
A note attached to flowers is placed outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Authorities said the broader investigation has included more than 100 interviews, over 30 search warrants and a review of more than 4 million messages.
“Our investigation shows that the individual had multiple opportunities to come forward to law enforcement and alert us of these deliberate actions, and the failure to do so must have consequences,” FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis said.
