The suspects accused in the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego have reportedly been identified as 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Velasquez.
Authorities said the shooting left three men dead and has prompted a major investigation into the suspects, their possible motive and whether the attack was driven by hate.
According to reports citing law enforcement sources, the two suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle a few blocks from the mosque. Officials said they appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds following the attack.
The shooting took place on the first day of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar, adding to the shock and grief surrounding the incident.
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Police said the motive remains under investigation, but authorities are treating the case as a possible hate crime after investigators reportedly discovered evidence that the suspects had engaged in hate-related rhetoric.
Family members of one suspect expressed shock after learning about the incident. Clark’s grandfather, David Clark, told reporters the family was sorry for what happened and said they knew very little beyond what had been reported publicly.
Clark had reportedly been connected to Madison High School’s wrestling team, according to the school’s social media page. A spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District told reporters that Clark had been attending school virtually through iHigh Virtual Academy since 2021.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said one suspect’s mother contacted authorities before the attack and reported her son missing. The search became more urgent after police learned he was dressed in camouflage and was with another person, details officials said did not appear consistent with someone simply preparing to harm himself.
The attack has raised new concerns about threats against religious institutions and the spread of extremist rhetoric among young people online.
Community leaders and local officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families while calling for calm as investigators continue reviewing evidence.
Authorities are expected to examine digital records, communications, videos and other material connected to the suspects as they work to determine how the attack was planned and whether anyone else may have known about it beforehand.
The Islamic Center of San Diego attack is likely to remain under close public attention as police continue investigating the events leading up to the shooting and the suspects’ possible motivations.
🚨🇺🇸 Two white supremacist terrorists
Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Velasquez, 18 —carried out a terror attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego on the first day of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar https://t.co/LLymiQE16J
— 𝖄𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖊𝖋 (@YOS3fAlmaghribI) May 20, 2026
