Two teenagers perpetrated a deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026. The FBI refers to their document as a ‘manifesto,’ obtained by CBS News. It contained extensive hate rhetoric targeting Jews, Muslims, women, Hispanics, the LGBTQ community, and other minorities.
According to FBI’s San Diego Field Office Special Agent Mark Remily, the attackers expressed a wide array of hatred. Their document began with antisemitic statements, specifically focusing on blaming Jews for various societal issues. The manifesto advocated for a violent race war and supported accelerationism, encouraging the destruction of society.
The teens live-streamed their attack, which echoed the 2019 Christchurch shooting that resulted in 51 deaths. Video evidence showed the teens wearing Nazi symbols similar to the ‘SS’ insignias of Hitler’s paramilitary group. They also inscribed ‘Race War’ on one of their firearms. An image from the manifesto tied the shooters to the attack, where three people, including a security guard, were killed.
Oren Segal, senior vice president of the Anti-Defamation League’s Counter-Extremism and Intelligence division, noted that the shooters admired the Christchurch attacker. They referred to themselves as the ‘sons’ of the shooter. Their writings included sections filled with various hate ideologies, with each teen authoring his segment. They also identified with the incel movement, which has connections to other mass shootings.
The manifesto contained a Q-and-A section, showing ambiguity in their political orientation. Their actions are part of a rising trend labeled by the FBI as ‘nihilistic violent extremism,’ encompassing multiple forms of hate. The 75-page document appears to be an amalgam of internet writings, possibly compiled with AI assistance. CBS News couldn’t independently confirm the document’s creator.
The two teens met online before realizing both lived in the San Diego area, arranging to meet in person. A suicide note from 17-year-old Cain Clark, a local high school wrestler, expressed his willingness to die for his beliefs. The second gunman, Caleb Vazquez, was 18.
Authorities explore evidence of their influence by other mass shooters, including the Christchurch perpetrator. The teens recorded their actions, and the grisly video became widely circulated on a known platform for violent content. The FBI monitors this website as it caters to the ‘True Crime Community,’ glorifying mass shooters and encouraging violence.
During their assault, Clark, dressed in camouflage, shot Vazquez before taking his own life. Law enforcement found the teens had amassed 30 guns and a crossbow, all from Clark’s parents.
CBS News has previously reported on past mass shooters who have spent time on the platform.
An initial warning surfaced at 9:40 a.m. when Clark’s mother contacted 911, worried about her potentially suicidal son who had taken the family’s weapons and vehicle, clad in camouflage. Police received a threat alert, but the target remained unclear.
Two hours later, the teens attacked the mosque. They first killed security guard Amin Abdullah outside, preventing more casualties by initiating a lockdown to safeguard students. Inside, over 100 children were evacuated to safety. The assailants exited to target and kill two men outside, then fled, shooting from their car.
Shortly after, Clark fatally shot Vazquez and then himself, effectively ending the assault.
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