POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 31, 2026San Diego

Grand jury indicts North Carolina teen for role in San Diego Islamic Center shooting

A 17-year-old North Carolina resident has been indicted on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy for allegedly facilitating a May shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Prosecutors allege the teen recorded and distributed a livestream of the attack and provided white-supremacist materials to the gunmen.

crimehate crimelaw enforcementterrorismpublic safety
Read the full story at KPBS Public Media

Why It Matters

The establishes that individuals can face criminal charges for facilitating acts of violence from remote locations, marking a significant legal development in how law enforcement addresses digital complicity in hate crimes.

Key Facts

  • Sarah Santiago was indicted on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy.
  • The indictment alleges Santiago recorded and distributed a livestream of the shooting and sent a white-supremacist patch to one of the gunmen.
  • The shooting occurred on May 18 at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
  • Three men were killed in the attack: Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad.
  • The two primary gunmen also planned subsequent attacks on a Jewish temple and a predominantly Black high school.
  • The FBI and San Diego Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
  • The attackers' writings cited far-right ideologies and a desire to accelerate the collapse of society.
  • The defendant's attorney, Alan Doorasamy Sr., stated his client is innocent of all charges.

Who's Mentioned

personJim O'Neill“Forsyth County District Attorney.”personMark Remily“Special Agent in Charge, FBI San Diego Field Office.”personMansour Kaziha“Victim killed during the shooting.”personNihad Awad“CAIR National Executive Director.”personAlan Doorasamy Sr.“Attorney for Sarah Santiago.”personSarah Santiago“17-year-old North Carolina resident indicted in connection to the shooting.”personNadir Awad“Victim killed during the shooting.”personScott Wahl“San Diego Police Chief.”personSami Koudmani“Islamic Center Operations manager.”personAmin Abdullah“Security guard killed during the shooting.”locationIslamic Center of San Diego“Site of the shooting in May.”