More than 2,000 people gathered in San Diego on Thursday to mourn three men killed while trying to stop an attack on the city’s largest mosque earlier this week.
Read More: Two gunmen, three victims dead in shooting at Islamic Centre in US
The funeral prayer, or Janazah, was held in a public park where mourners, including community members and police officers, stood together to honour the victims, who were described as heroes for helping prevent further bloodshed during the attack.
The three men — Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad — were later buried side by side at a nearby cemetery.
❗Mourners gathered at SDSU Mission Valley River Park on Thursday to perform Janazah prayer for the three martyrs killed on Monday’s terrorist attack in the Islamic Center of San Diego
The three martyrs were subsequently buried together at La Vista Memorial Park 🥀🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zD2L7utLzb
— Tannie تاني 🇵🇸 (@putin_76) May 22, 2026
According to police, Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the mosque, confronted the attackers and used his radio to alert others and initiate a lockdown procedure. Authorities say his actions helped delay the assailants and protected around 140 students who were hiding inside classrooms and closets at the mosque school.
Investigators said the other two victims ran toward the mosque after hearing gunfire and were fatally shot while attempting to help.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident as a suspected hate crime. The attack has intensified fears among Muslim communities in the United States amid concerns over rising Islamophobia.
Community members attending the funeral called for unity and an end to anti-Muslim hatred. Several mourners said the tragedy highlighted the need for stronger efforts to address extremism and gun violence.
Police said the teenage suspects fled the mosque after the attack and were later found dead inside their vehicle from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Read More: Three killed in mosque shooting in San Diego
Relatives of the victims said they were drawing strength from the courage shown by the men during the attack, describing their actions as a sacrifice to protect innocent worshippers and children inside the mosque.