Victims identified in deadly Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting

(TNND) — Three individuals killed in the Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting were identified by Imam Taha Hassane, Director of the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Hassane said the three killed were Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl credited Amin Abdullah, who worked as a security guard at the center, with slowing down the two teenage suspects who were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

“If he didn’t do what he did and he sacrificed his life, these two suspects would have easily accessed every single one of the classrooms,” Hassane said during a Tuesday afternoon press briefing in San Diego.

The Islamic Center campus includes the Al Rashid School.

“His actions without a doubt delayed, distracted, and deterred without a doubt access to the mosque,” Wahl said.

Wahl said Abdullah engaged in a gunfire exchange with the two suspects. He added that the delay due to the gun battle allowed individuals to evacuate the main area.

Abdullah was also the one to put the lockdown protocol in place.

The other two victims “drew the attention” of the suspects outside in the parking lot, where officers were on scene.

Hassane said Kaziha has been at the Islamic center for the last 40 years and he has never done anything without him. He worked as a handyman at the center.

He was everything, I don’t know what I’m going to do at the Islamic Center without his assistance without his daily assistance. We miss him,” Hassane said

Awad’s wife was a teacher at the center. Hassane said Kazhia was the first to call the police before he was killed and they both sacrificed their lives to protect the community.

Hassane said the families of the victims are “in shock” and “devastated.” The center cancelled classes for the next two weeks.