US Jewish groups express sympathy after California mosque shooting
Monday's attack left three dead outside the Islamic Centre of San Diego before the perpetrators reportedly turned their weapons on themselves
American Jewish communal organisations have expressed their solidarity with the Muslim community in the wake of a shooting at a Mosque in San Diego in which two teenage gunmen shot and killed three men, including a security guard, before turning their weapons on themselves.
The attack, which was carried out at the Islamic Centre of San Diego on Monday is understood to have been perpetrated by two individuals – one 17, the other 18.
None of the victims have been named, but the security guard outside the mosque is understood to be a father of eight, with San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl describing his actions as “heroic. Undoubtedly he saved lives today.”
The ADL, America’s foremost organisation targeting antisemitism, said: “We are devastated by the deadly shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego. No one should fear for their safety while attending a house of worship or school. Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the broader Muslim community during this horrific moment. ADL and the ADL Centre on Extremism are monitoring the situation closely.”
The Islamic centre, which is understood to contain a school on site, was evacuated after the shooting.
Two hours prior to the attack, the mother of one of the shooters contacted the police, reporting that her son had taken her car and a number of her guns, and had left home with someone else; both dressed in camouflage gear.
She reportedly described her son as suicidal, although the police have expressed scepticism; questioning why a suicidal individual would take three different firearms.
Wahl said that a police investigation after the shooting found that the youth in question had left a note which included “generalised hate rhetoric and hate speech”, but no specific threat to the Mosque or another location.
The American Jewish Committee 9AJC) said: “We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in the wake of the horrific shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in Clairemont that left three people dead. We commend law enforcement for the swift response to this attack, which is now being investigated as a hate crime.
“As the Muslim community across the country grapples with this murderous assault, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring all houses of worship are safe. You are not alone.”
The World Jewish Congress said: “Hatred directed against one faith community is a threat to every faith community. The attack at the Islamic Centre in San Diego is not only an act of terror against Muslims, but an assault on the fundamental right of all people to practice their faith openly, safely, and without fear. Jewish communities around the world stand in solidarity with the victims, their families, and all those impacted by the scourge of violent extremism.”
Meanwhile, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles described itself as “horrified by the deadly attack… Houses of worship must be protected spaces for people of every faith.
“We stand in solidarity with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragedy, as well as with our Muslim friends and neighbours in San Diego and across California. We also reaffirm our unyielding belief that all faith communities deserve the right to worship undeterred by fear, threats, or violence.”
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