A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina has been charged with murder in connection with the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, despite being on the other side of the country when the attack occurred. Sarah Lindsey Santiago faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
The May 18 shooting spree was carried out by two California teenagers, 17-year-old Cain Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez. They killed three people inside the mosque before taking their own lives. Prosecutors allege that Santiago, though not present at the scene, coordinated with the gunmen to livestream the massacre and help distribute their manifesto.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill stated that Santiago, who knew the shooters through social media but had never met them in person, purchased and sent Vazquez a patch with a Nazi symbol that he wore during the attack. O'Neill indicated that Santiago was one of three individuals who watched the livestream as the attack unfolded. She is being charged as an adult, with O'Neill describing the alleged actions of the trio as an "echo chamber of hate."
Santiago's attorney, Alan Doorasamy, maintains his client's innocence, calling the case a tragedy that touches on issues of youth, social media, and mental health in the U.S.
Prosecutors believe the three individuals planned to carry out additional attacks on the Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue and at an African-American high school in San Diego on the same day. However, Clark and Vazquez died by suicide after the initial attack at the mosque.
The victims of the mosque shooting were identified as security guard Amin Abdullah, 51; caretaker Mansour Kaziha, 78; and Nader Awad, 57, who lived across the street. Landscaper Tafu Letuli, 52, was injured in the attack.
Images from the scene revealed a gasoline canister with a Nazi SS sticker and a shotgun found in a car near the mosque where the shooters were discovered. The manifesto allegedly shared by Santiago contained writings promoting white supremacy and Nazi ideology, alongside anti-Islamic, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQ sentiments. The investigation into the incident led authorities down what O'Neill described as "dark rabbit holes online," highlighting the accessibility of hate-filled content to young people. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called Santiago's arrest an "important step" in ensuring the safety of American Muslims attending places of worship. 
