Caleb Vazquez, one of two teens responsible for the mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, was on the autism spectrum and influenced by hateful rhetoric online, his family described in a heartfelt apology.
“Over the last several days, our family has been trying to process the horrific actions carried out
by our son against the Islamic Center San Diego Community,” the 18-year-old’s family said in a statement released by attorney Colin Rudolph.
“We want to begin by acknowledging that nothing we say or do could ever repair the damage his actions have caused. We are completely heartbroken and devastated by what has happened. We condemn these hateful and violent actions entirely,” they continued.
The family mentioned the three victims, Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad, and thanked them for their bravery in preventing more deaths during Monday’s attack. All three men were laid to rest Thursday in a ceremony in San Diego.
