Amin Abdullah, a father of eight and security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego, was shot and killed during a deadly attack on Monday, alongside two other worshippers. His actions were described as prominent by police and community members.

Guard’s Prominent Actions Prevented Greater Loss

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised Abdullah’s actions, stating, “It’s fair to say his actions were prominent. Undoubtedly, he saved lives today.” The attack was carried out by two teenage suspects who later died by suicide.

Abdullah and two other victims—Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad,were killed by the attackers, who remain unidentified. The mosque community has mourned the loss of Abdullah, describing him as a courageous man who consistently put others before himself.

Community Remembers a Kind and Welcoming Man

“Amin was loved by everybody, he stood there day after day, always smiling, welcoming everybody,” said Tazheen Nizam, a spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego (Cair-SD), in an interview with the BBC.

Sam Hamideh, who knew Abdullah through the mosque, recalled his kindness: “It didn’t matter who walked up… any random person could just walk up and, like, [Abdullah] would greet them, make sure they are OK.” He added that Abdullah would assist people regardless of their background, whether they were homeless, elderly, or children.

Friends and community members also shared stories of Abdullah’s dedication to the mosque and his deep connection with the community. A family friend told the Associated Press that Abdullah worked at the mosque for over a decade and had wanted to defend the innocent, which led him to become a security guard.

“He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard,” said Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq, a family friend.

Investigation as a Hate Crime

The attack is being investigated as a hate crime, according to Wahl, who noted that “hate rhetoric” was involved. The incident began when the mother of one of the attackers called police to report that her son had run away with a friend and might be suicidal.

Hours later, as authorities searched for the two teenagers, they discovered three victims outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, including Abdullah. The suspects were later found dead of self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle near the mosque.

An online fundraiser for Abdullah has already raised more than $1.6m. The other two victims were also members of the mosque community. Kaziha helped maintain its grounds and convenience store, while Awad’s wife teaches at the mosque’s school.

Abdullah’s legacy has been described as one of heroism and selflessness. “He was a shining light. He is a true hero, a martyr,” said Nizam. The mosque community continues to mourn his loss and honor his memory.