Credit: PHOTO: Adrian Childress.
A sense of grief has swept through San Diego following a fatal shooting at the Islamic Center on Monday, May 18, 2026. Two armed teenagers rushed the center, confronting security officer Amin Abdullah, who was killed after alerting others and exchanging gunfire with the attackers. The shooters then chased two bystanders before driving away, firing at an uninjured landscaper, and ultimately taking their own lives in the street. One of the teens had reportedly stolen his mother’s weapons to carry out the attack.
The attack underscores the tragic influence of hate on young people. As the Muslim community grapples with how to feel safe again, Abdullah, a father of eight, was remembered as a vigilant protector who took his role seriously. During a press conference yesterday afternoon, his daughter Hawaa described him as her best friend and the “absolute best dad in the world”. Emphasizing his stance against hate, she urged unity, stating, “I hope in this moment we can all come together and be kind to one another”.
Yesterday evening, a vigil was held where hundreds gathered to pay their respects.
The tragedy has reignited discussions about the systemic insecurity faced by Muslim communities. Ramla Sahid, Executive Director of PANA, noted that Islamophobia and targeted attacks have surged since 9/11, a hostility she characterized as being reinforced by “law enforcement and national security networks for 25 years”. Echoing the community’s exhaustion, an Imam at the center asked, “Why do we have to have security and now people want more?” while stressing that “every community deserves to be safe”.
