A gripping video has emerged showing the dramatic evacuation of young children from the Islamic Center of San Diego, as chaos erupted when two teenage assailants in camouflage launched an attack. The unsettling footage captures a line of over a dozen children, seemingly no older than five, being shepherded to safety under the guidance of law enforcement officers, according to a report by KSWB.
The children were seen linking up in a human chain, each one clutching the shoulders of the child in front. At the lead, a law enforcement officer held the hand of the first child, ensuring their safe exit from the center.
Known as the largest mosque in San Diego County, the Islamic Center of San Diego includes the Al Rashid School, which provides education in Arabic, Islamic studies, and the Quran for children aged five and above, as detailed on the center’s website.
This alarming incident coincided with the onset of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, a sacred month in the Islamic calendar marked by the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, drawing millions of devotees worldwide. The timing of the attack added to the distress as the community prepared for this holy period.
The center is the largest mosque in San Diego County and includes the Al Rashid School, which offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran for students ages 5 and up, according to its website.
Chaos unfolded at the beginning of Dhū al-Ḥijjah — the month of pilgrimage, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar where millions of worshippers head to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“We are safe, the entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff, and the teachers are safe and out of the Islamic Center,” center Imam Taha Hassane said in a video obtained by The Post and circulated among California’s Muslim community.
The shooters were identified as former high school wrestler Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Velasquez, 18.
Cops revealed they received a call of a runaway juvenile from a concerned mom at around 9:42 a.m. before they elevated the threat level.
The mom allegedly believed her son was suicidal and shared that several of her weapons were missing, as was her vehicle, according to police.
The mom also said her son was with a companion and that they were dressed in camo.
The police would not clarify whether or not the missing person was involved in the shooting, though most of the details line up with what The Post was told.
Clark and Velasquez, who were later found dead in a car several blocks away, stormed the mosque and killed security guard Amin Abdullah, a teacher, and a man who worked in the center’s food store.
The teens also fired at a landscaper – though they survived, KTLA reported.
The teacher has been named locally as Mohamed Nader – who sprinted over to the scene when he heard the commotion.
“He was living across the street, just a few steps only,” devastated pal Abdul Saleem said.
“When he heard the shots, he came to see what was going on because his wife was working there and he wanted to make sure that his wife was secure.”
Meanwhile, Abdullah said “There’s something strange, close the doors,” when he saw the gunmen, according to Saleem.
Tributes were paid to Abdullah, who was described by former student Sarah Youssef, 19, as a “kind spirit.”
He “always welcomed everyone who walked through those doors with a smile,” the now- UC Irvine freshman told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “And no matter [what] walk of life you were from, he was always there for anyone.”
Clark, who attended the iHigh Virtual Academy since 2021, and Velasquez were found dead inside a BMW from self-inflicted gunshot wounds only a few blocks from the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Anti-Islamic writings were found in the suspects’ vehicle and “hate speech” was written on the firearms used in the shooting, according to the source.
A shotgun and gas can with an “SS” sticker on the side were located at the scene where the gunmen’s bodies were discovered.
The “SS” sticker appears to represent the Schutzstaffel, the paramilitary organization led by Heinrich Himmler under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany.
Law enforcement have since served search warrants on Clark’s home in Clairemont, and a property linked to Velasquez in Chula Vista.
Armed agents in tactical gear banged on Clark’s home’s front door and shouted “warrant” before making their way into the home, NBC7 reported.
San Diego police units and officers in SWAT gear swooped on the property linked to Velasquez Monday afternoon – but they didn’t shout.
“They were casing this house three houses down,” one man told the outlet.
“I didn’t see them shout any weapons. They never used a microphone that I heard, but they seemed to be looking for somebody.”
Neighbors said they weren’t too familiar with Velasquez – but said his family was quiet but nice when spoken to.
The shooting is being probed as a hate crime.
With Post wires.
