The three men killed in San Diego shooting saved many others, 'did not die in vain'
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SAN DIEGO — In the moments that gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the actions of three men staved off an even more extensive tragedy.Authorities say that, before they were killed, they slowed the shooters, sent out a warning and alerted police, allowing dozens of schoolchildren inside the mosque to scramble for safety.
They’re now hailed as heroes: a security guard with a winning smile, a storekeeper known for his lentil soup and the husband of a schoolteacher whose proud daughter said that when he heard gunfire, he ran toward it.“I want to be very clear: All three of our victims did not die in vain,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.“Without question, there would have been many more fatalities yesterday.”All three were deeply familiar faces at the mosque, even for those who did not have personal relationships with them.
Tens of thousands of dollars in donations have poured into a fundraiser set up for their families.“We lost three pillars of our community,” the imam, or leader of the mosque, Taha Hassane, said.“We call them our martyrs and our heroes.”Here are their stories.Abdullah was known for his burly figure and his warm smile.
The armed security guard at the San Diego mosque would greet every visitor without fail, responding “Salam wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuh” or “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you too.”He had an unwavering sense of protectiveness, family and community members said.Within hours of the shooting that rippled across Southern California’s Muslim community, Abdullah’s picture had been circulated and reposted thousands of times.
Abdullah was born in San Diego as Brian Climax but goes by his Muslim name.He converted to Islam in his late teens, during the 1990s, with several of his siblings and his mother following suit, his sister said.
He is a father of eight.Family members...