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Caleb Vazquez, one oftwo teens responsiblefor the mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, was on the autism spectrum and influenced by hateful rhetoric online, his family described in a heartfelt apology.
“Over the last several days, our family has been trying to process the horrific actions carried outby our son against theIslamic Center San Diego Community,” the 18-year-old’s family said in a statement released by attorney Colin Rudolph.
“We want to begin by acknowledging that nothing we say or do could ever repair the damage his actions have caused. We are completely heartbroken and devastated by what has happened. We condemn these hateful and violent actions entirely,” they continued.
The family mentioned the three victims,Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad, and thanked them for their bravery in preventing more deaths during Monday’s attack.
Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark stormed the mosque, opening fire and killing three Monday before fleeing the scene in a white BMW. The teen terrorists livestreamed their entire attack.
At the encouragement of Vazquez, Clark, sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, shot Vazquez in the head twice with a pistol, killing him. Clark then turned the weapon on himself.
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The family recognized the attack caused devastating and irreversible pain for the victims, their loved ones and the broader Muslim community, adding that no apology could ever make up for the loss and trauma inflicted by Vazquez.
“We reject hatred, extremism, bigotry, and violence in every form. We stand firmly against the ideology and actions that led to this tragedy. These actions do not reflect the values we raised our family with or the beliefs we hold in our hearts,” Vazquez’s family said.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
