The parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers responsible for the May 2026 mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, have filed a lawsuit against the mental health facility where he was treated. The suit, lodged against Park Mental Health residential facility, alleges negligence, dependent adult neglect, wrongful death, and medical malpractice, claiming staff ignored critical warning signs before the deadly attack.
According to the lawsuit, Vazquez, 18, went missing from the facility the night before the shooting. His parents, Lilliana and Marco Vazquez, claim they were shown surveillance footage of him leaving the property at 8:24 p.m. the previous evening. The facility has disputed these allegations, calling them "incorrect" and "counterfactual."
Vazquez was admitted to Park Mental Health in April for treatment of "autism, OCD, body dysmorphia, social anxiety and severe depression with psychotic episodes," the lawsuit states. Days before the shooting, his mother reportedly informed his therapist that the FBI had contacted her about his alarming "dark web" activity, which included discussions about school shootings and suicide.
The facility's program director allegedly texted Lilliana Vazquez on the morning of May 18, inquiring about Caleb's whereabouts and confirming he was missing. Park Mental Health issued a statement expressing sorrow for the victims and asserting that neither the facility nor its employees had the power to prevent the "heinous acts."
Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark stormed the mosque and killed three individuals before fleeing in a white BMW. The attack was livestreamed by the perpetrators. During their recorded exchange in the vehicle, Vazquez urged Clark to shoot him, which Clark did twice before turning the weapon on himself. Both teenagers died at the scene.
Prior to the attack, Vazquez and Clark released a manifesto containing hateful imagery and messages advocating for a race war. The weapons used in the assault were reportedly covered in racist messages, including "Race War Now," and both gunmen wore a Black Sun symbol associated with Nazi Germany. The lawsuit also notes that Vazquez had a firearms restraining order issued against him after a welfare check by police last year.
Sarah Lindsey Santiago, 17, was subsequently charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors allege she agreed to livestream the massacre, distribute the recording, and release the gunmen's manifesto. Authorities stated she was one of three individuals who watched the livestream and later recorded and disseminated the footage and writings.
Park Mental Health Treatment Center of San Diego stated, "At the end of the day, Mr. Vazquez was involved in an infamous crime at the conclusion of which he was murdered by his criminal partner. Neither Park nor any of its employees had the ability or the power to stop these heinous acts and as members of this community, we continue to mourn Mr. Vazquez’s victims."