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On Monday, Amin Abdullah, a security guard at a local mosque, lost his life while bravely attempting to shield worshippers during a shooting incident that resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries. Abdullah, a father of eight, was a well-respected member of the community and had dedicated over a decade of service at the Islamic Center of San Diego. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised Abdullah's courageous actions, stating, “It’s fair to say his actions were heroic. Undoubtedly, he saved lives today.”

Details on the Victims

In addition to Abdullah, two other individuals, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were also killed, as reported by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-San Diego). The police indicated that the two teenage suspects opened fire at the mosque before turning their weapons on themselves, but their identities have not yet been disclosed.

Community Remembers a Hero

Community members have expressed their sorrow and admiration for Abdullah, describing him as a warm and generous individual who always greeted others with a smile, particularly the children at the mosque’s school. Tazheen Nizam, a spokeswoman for CAIR, referred to him as “a courageous man who put himself on the line for the safety of others.”

Omar Suleiman, an American Muslim scholar, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, highlighting Abdullah’s last Facebook post featuring a hawk on the mosque’s minaret with the caption “Allahu Akbar.” Suleiman remarked, “Brother Amin Abdullah was the guard at the mosque in San Diego for years. He was instrumental in stopping the shooters from reaching the children today. On these holiest days, may Allah have mercy on him and accept him as a martyr.”

Support for Abdullah’s Family

A GoFundMe campaign established for Abdullah’s family has already garnered over $1.7 million as of Tuesday morning. Friends and community members described him as a protector of the innocent, a role that led him to his position as a security guard. The mosque emphasized that Abdullah remained a guardian until his last moments. The investigation is ongoing, and police have yet to provide additional information regarding the motive or the teenage suspects.