Macabre Mosque: San Diego Islamic Center Site of Two Mass Shooters also Home to 9/11 Hijackers and Imam who Inspired Fort Hood Mass Shooter
With the world the way that it is, it seems that anyone can be easily influenced by hatred on social media — a frightening reality underscored by the recent deadly shooting at the San Diego mosque once attended by two 9/11 hijackers, connected figures tied to the Saudi consulate, and former imam Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical cleric who later inspired Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 14 people and wounded 32 in 2009. The mosque’s controversial history has once again thrust it into the national spotlight following an attack carried out by two radicalized teenagers.
By definition, this shooting meets the criteria for a conspiracy (two or more accomplices).
Available for interviews on this mosque shooting topic are David Rubin, himself a victim of an Islamic terror attack, along with his son; Stephen Willeford, the armed citizen who stopped the Sutherland Springs mass shooter in 2017; and Grant Berry, the founder of Reconnecting Ministries, who is calling for an end to antisemitism and a reunification of the Church.
www.IsraelChildren.org and www.gunowners.org and www.reconnectingministries.org
- Mosque previously home to 9/11 hijackers and Anwar al-Awlaki.
- Teen suspects reportedly consumed extremist propaganda and violent manifesto content.
- Attack reignites debate over online radicalization and ideological violence.
- Questions emerge about warning signs parents and communities may have missed.
- Security guard died stopping further bloodshed during deadly mosque attack.
According to reports, the two teens — 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vasquez — were driven by a hateful ideology, assembling a “manifesto” filled with anti-Islamic and antisemitic rhetoric while praising previous mass shootings. They also reportedly created and shared a video on a site known for distributing violent content shortly before carrying out the attack.
The pair allegedly opened fire at the mosque, killing three people — including a security guard — before another individual intervened and prevented further bloodshed despite the suspects reportedly possessing more than 30 firearms and a crossbow. Authorities say the teens then attempted to shoot two more men while fleeing the parking lot, before Clark ultimately killed his accomplice and himself just blocks away.
The horrific violence raises disturbing questions about how young people become consumed by extremist messaging online — and whether warning signs were missed by those around them. It also reignites difficult conversations surrounding radicalization, ideology, and the broader atmosphere of political and religious hatred fueling violence in America.
Founder and President of the Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, former Mayor of Shiloh David Rubin, founder of Reconnecting Ministries Grant Berry, or Stephen Willeford, spokesman for Gun Owners of America are available together or separate, for interviews on this topic.
Relevant Article(s):
Live updates: Three killed, two suspects dead in shooting at San Diego mosque – NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego Muslims Open Doors Amid Scrutiny : NPR
OPTIONAL Q&A:
- How did social media and online extremist content appear to shape the worldview of these two teenagers?
- What warning signs should parents, teachers, or friends look for when young people become consumed by hateful ideologies?
- Does the controversial history of this San Diego Mosque change how the public is reacting to this attack?
- How can society condemn terrorism and extremism without fueling broader religious hatred or division?
- What responsibility do social media platforms bear when violent manifestos and videos are shared online?
- Why do you think so many young people today seem vulnerable to radicalization from both the far-right and extremist Islamist narratives?
- What lessons can law enforcement, faith leaders, and communities take away from this tragedy to prevent future attacks?
- Has America failed to seriously address the growing influence of online radicalization and ideological violence targeting young people?
ABOUT DAVID RUBIN…
David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of seven books, including his latest, Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel, which has recently been made into a movie. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack.
Websites:
www.IsraelChildren.org (treating the victims of terror)
ABOUT STEPHEN WILLEFORD…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. He is the author of the book A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com
ABOUT GRANT BERRY…
Grant Berry is a Messianic believer in Yeshua/Jesus and was born in London, England. Grant is married to Hali Berry and they have five children. He is the Founder of Reconnecting Ministries and Author and Producer of The Romans 911 Project. As a Prophetic Intercessor, he has carried this burden of Reconnection from the Father for His family to reunite in The One New Man between believing Jews and Gentiles in the Ekklesia/Church. Grant has received a commission from the Lord to help reintroduce love and unity in the family.
TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW, CALL OR TEXT 512-966-0983 OR EMAIL BOOKINGS@SPECIALGUESTS.COM
