North Carolina Teen Charged in Connection with San Diego Mosque Shooting

A 17-year-old from North Carolina, identified as Sarah L. Santiago, faces charges related to a deadly attack at a mosque in San Diego. The Forsyth County District Attorney, Jim O’Neill, announced the indictment of Santiago on three murder counts and one conspiracy count. The charges stem from her alleged role in recording and distributing a livestream of the shooting, as well as publishing the attackers’ manifesto.

Despite being across the country during the May 18 incident, Santiago is accused of aiding the gunmen by disseminating their manifesto. Authorities have linked her actions to Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, who carried out the attack. The two assailants targeted the Islamic Center of San Diego, where they killed three men before dying by suicide nearby.

The victims, identified as Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha, attempted to thwart further violence by confronting the attackers. Police revealed that the mosque was part of a larger plan, including intended attacks on a Jewish temple and an African-American high school.

The indictment also alleges Santiago purchased a patch displaying a white-supremacist symbol for one of the attackers to wear. O’Neill clarified that she could face charges in North Carolina despite her absence in California. North Carolina law allows treating a 17-year-old accused of such conduct as an adult.

The broader investigation involved over 100 interviews, more than 30 search warrants, and a review of over 4 million messages. Reid Davis, FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge, emphasized Santiago’s multiple opportunities to report the planned violence to law enforcement.