Who are Mansoor Qaziha and Nader Awad? San Diego Islamic Center shooting victim, Amin Abdullah praised for actions

According to reports, the three men were outside the Islamic Center of San Diego when the 17- and 18-year-old gunmen approached the mosque around 11:43 a.m. “There is no doubt that his actions delayed, distracted and ultimately prevented these two individuals from entering the mosque,” Wahl said at a news conference.

According to Wahl, there were about 150 children about 20 feet away when Abdullah allowed the suspects to engage with him instead of letting them into the building. Wahl later identified Qaziha and Awad as the other two victims, adding that both men had the suspect follow them into a parking lot away from the building, where they were cornered and killed.

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Abdullah worked as a security guard there for more than a decade. He is a father of eight children and a caregiver to his own father, according to NBC San Diego. Abdullah was reportedly shot twice and fell, then stood up and walked inside to warn others at the center, according to New York Times.

The San Diego Council on American-Islamic Relations said of Abdullah in a statement, “He is the definition of a hero who courageously made the ultimate sacrifice to save others rather than himself.”

Qaziha and Awad are also remembered for their heroic actions. Here’s everything you need to know about Mansoor Qaziha and Nader Awad.

Qaziha reportedly named his store “Abu el Ezz,” after Ezz’s father, because his youngest son was Ezzat, according to NBC News. Carolina Gaytan told the publication: “Everyone who steps into the mosque meets Abu Eazi. He is the most welcoming, warmest person in the world.”

Gaitan was Qaziha’s daughter-in-law, married to his son Amar. Speaking of Kazhar, she told the publication: “He’s my dad, you know, no matter what, he’s my dad. He takes care of me, he loves my kids, and my kids love him.”

Qaziha is survived by five sons and 14 grandchildren.

Awad reportedly lives across the street and his wife is a teacher at an Islamic center. He reportedly turned away community members during the shooting, and many groups recognized his efforts to save more lives.

Police Chief Wahl said Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, were identified as suspects and the case was treated as a hate crime. They reportedly met online and harbored a “broader hatred” of different religions and races. The suspect is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.