The family of the individual suspected in the San Diego mosque shooting has expressed that they are 'deeply sorry'.

 

The family of Caleb Vasquez, one of the teenage suspects implicated in the tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, has issued a statement expressing their profound sorrow for the pain and devastation inflicted. They emphasized that their son’s alleged actions do not embody the values with which they raised their family or the beliefs they cherish in their hearts.

According to officials, three individuals were murdered before the two suspects, aged 17 and 18, took their own lives and were discovered deceased in a vehicle nearby.

"In the past few days, our family has been grappling with the horrific actions perpetrated by our son against the Islamic Center San Diego Community," stated Colin Rudolph, the attorney representing the Vasquez family, in a statement released on Thursday and obtained by ABC News' San Diego affiliate KGTV. "We wish to start by acknowledging that nothing we say or do can ever mend the damage his actions have caused. We are utterly heartbroken and devastated by the events that have transpired. We unequivocally condemn these hateful and violent actions."

"While we grieve for the child we raised and love, we grieve even more profoundly for the innocent lives of Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad," the statement further elaborated. "We honor and express our gratitude to them for their courageous actions that day, which prevented the loss of even more innocent lives. Our hearts and prayers are with each of their families during this unimaginably tragic time."

Authorities reported that Abdullah, who served as a security guard, along with Kaziha and Awad, were killed in the shooting on Monday, with investigators currently treating the incident as a hate crime.

Abdullah has been recognized as a hero for thwarting the suspects, who were merely 15 feet away from 140 children. Kaziha, a respected community elder, was the first to dial 911, and Awad rushed from his home across the street to assist upon hearing the gunfire, as reported by community members and advocates.

The two suspects, aged 17 and 18, were found deceased in a vehicle nearby, according to police. Authorities are continuing their investigation.

Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez are identified as the alleged perpetrators of the shooting.

Investigators are currently reviewing an extensive document that has been circulating online, which consists of two hate-filled essays totaling 75 pages, purportedly authored by the suspected shooters, according to sources who spoke with ABC News.

The essays advocate for white nationalism and convey animosity towards immigrants, racial minorities, and others, in addition to expressing resentment towards women who favor taller men, as reported by sources. It is alleged that Vazquez identifies himself as an "accelerationist" in his essay, reflecting nihilistic ideologies, sources indicated.

The exact date when the essays were composed remains uncertain, as a section meant to specify the "targets" is left unfilled, sources noted.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated on Tuesday that law enforcement is probing how the suspects acquired firearms used in the shooting. He mentioned that the weapons belonged to one of the suspect's parents but did not clarify whether they were securely stored or locked away.

During the search of two residences linked to the suspects, authorities confiscated "numerous pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, tactical gear, and electronics," as stated by Mark Remily, the special agent in charge of the FBI's San Diego Field Office.