Teen girl charged with murder over recording of San Diego mosque attack

A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina has been charged with murder for allegedly aiding and abetting the perpetrators of a deadly attack on a San Diego mosque. Prosecutors claim the teenager recorded a livestream of the incident, which resulted in three fatalities, and also shared a manifesto from the two teenage gunmen involved. The indictment was issued by Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill following an arrest last week. The attack took place on 18 May at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Two male suspects, aged 17 and 18, opened fire inside the mosque before turning the weapons on themselves. According to O'Neill, the attackers had two primary objectives: to maximize casualties during the assault and to ensure the violence was documented through live video. The assailants used cameras attached to GoPro-style helmets to record the attack. Investigators later discovered that the pair had plans to carry out additional attacks at a local Jewish temple and a predominantly African American high school. During the attack, a security guard named Amin Abdullah engaged the shooters in a brief exchange of gunfire and implemented a lockdown, protecting approximately 140 children present in the building. Abdullah, along with two other worshippers, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, who were targeted in the parking lot, were fatally wounded. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised Abdullah’s actions as “heroic,” stating they “undoubtedly” saved lives. The attackers were found to have access to a substantial arsenal, including around 30 firearms and a crossbow, which authorities believe were obtained from one of the shooter’s family members. The suspects also left behind written materials expressing racist and antisemitic sentiments, as well as references to white supremacist ideology. These documents, examined by CBS News, included comparisons to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand, where a lone gunman killed 51 people. O'Neill emphasized that under North Carolina law, individuals who assist in committing a crime can be held equally accountable as the principal offenders. The teenager now faces three counts of murder and one charge of conspiracy. During a press briefing, O'Neill expressed concern over the potential threat posed by the suspect, noting the proximity of holidays and the possibility of further harm. The case highlights the complex interplay between online radicalization and real-world violence. While the motive and planning appear to stem from extremist ideologies, the involvement of minors underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing such threats. Authorities continue to investigate the broader context of the attack, including the role of social media and the influence of far-right rhetoric. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with further details expected as more evidence comes to light.