What began as a horrifying attack outside one of Southern California’s largest Islamic centers could have ended in even greater tragedy if not for the actions of a security guard who placed himself directly in danger to protect worshippers and children gathered inside the mosque.

Now, days after gunfire erupted outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, community members, law enforcement officials and grieving relatives are remembering 51-year-old Amin Abdullah as more than a victim.

They are calling him a hero.

Authorities say Abdullah, a father of eight and longtime protector of the mosque community, died while confronting two armed teenage attackers whose actions left three people dead and sent fear through San Diego’s Muslim community.

Police say his intervention likely prevented a far deadlier outcome.

“He undoubtedly saved lives,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a Tuesday news conference.

Investigators said two teenagers — ages 17 and 18 — opened fire outside the Islamic Center on Monday, triggering chaos at the sprawling campus that includes worship spaces and a school attended by children.

Three men were killed.

The suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle several blocks away, authorities said, after apparently taking their own lives.

Police and federal investigators are now treating the violence as a possible hate crime while continuing to examine evidence surrounding what officials describe as a deeply disturbing attack.

Authorities believe hate ideology may have played a role.

Investigators previously said writings connected to racial extremism and anti-Muslim sentiment were recovered during the investigation.

The Islamic Center itself has long served as one of the largest Muslim community centers in the region.

Families gather there for prayer.

Children attend classes.

Community events regularly fill the campus.

Monday’s violence shattered that sense of safety.

But investigators say one man’s split-second decision changed what could have happened.

According to Chief Wahl, the attackers ran past Abdullah shortly after arriving.

Abdullah immediately recognized danger.

Rather than fleeing, police say he moved toward it.

“He immediately observed the threat to everybody at the mosque,” Wahl said.

Authorities said Abdullah engaged the attackers with gunfire after recognizing the threat level.

The suspects returned fire.

A gun battle unfolded.

But even while under attack, investigators say Abdullah continued acting to protect others.

Police said he reached for his radio and activated lockdown procedures inside the center.

That decision may have saved dozens of lives.

“His actions without a doubt delayed, distracted and ultimately deterred these two individuals from gaining access to the greater areas of the mosque,” Wahl said.

Investigators said approximately 140 children were located inside areas near where the attackers had entered.

Officials estimated some children were within mere feet of where danger unfolded.

Police believe Abdullah’s actions disrupted the attackers’ movements and prevented them from reaching classrooms.

“Tragically, he died in that gun battle,” Wahl said.

The security guard’s death has left a massive void inside a community that knew him not merely as an employee — but as family.

Friends described him as warm, dependable and deeply committed to protecting others.

Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, fought emotion while remembering Abdullah publicly.

“He was such a lovely person,” Hassane said.

“He never stopped smiling to anyone.”

The imam said Abdullah’s sacrifice changed the course of events.

“If it was not for him, as chief mentioned, the carnage would be much worse,” Hassane said.

“He’s the one who stopped them, who slowed them down.”

Officials say Abdullah’s actions created precious minutes.

Time for lockdown procedures.

Time for children to remain protected.

Time for law enforcement officers to respond.

Police arrived quickly.

But authorities believe those moments mattered enormously.

“If he didn’t do what he did and he sacrificed his life, the two suspects would have easily access to every single classroom,” Hassane said.

Abdullah was not the only victim remembered during Tuesday’s emotional public remarks.

Authorities identified the two other men killed as 78-year-old Mansour Kaziha and 57-year-old Nadir Awad.

Police said both men also played critical roles during the violence.

Investigators described Kaziha as one of the mosque’s foundational figures.

Officials said he was a founding member who helped shape the center for decades.

“He was the pillar of this community,” Hassane said.

For approximately 40 years, Kaziha served in numerous roles.

Caretaker.

Handyman.

Cook.

Organizer.

Problem solver.

“I have never done anything without him,” Hassane said.

Police say Kaziha also made a critical contribution during the emergency.

Authorities said he became the first person to call 911.

Investigators believe that action helped accelerate emergency response efforts.

Awad, meanwhile, lived nearby.

His wife worked inside the Islamic Center school.

Police believe he heard gunfire and moved toward danger.

Authorities said both Kaziha and Awad ultimately drew the attackers’ attention away from other parts of the property.

Investigators say that movement likely mattered enormously.

“They drew them back out into the parking lot area,” Chief Wahl said.

But both men became trapped.

Police said they could not escape.

Authorities say the attackers cornered and killed them.

Officials emphasized that all three victims played roles that likely protected others.

“I want to be very clear,” Wahl said.

“All three of our victims did not die in vain.”

“Without distracting the attention, without delaying the actions of these two individuals, without question, there would have been many more fatalities.”

As grief spreads through San Diego’s Muslim community, loved ones are sharing memories of the men whose lives ended during Monday’s violence.

At a separate news conference Tuesday, Abdullah’s daughter, Hawaa Abdullah, described her father as a protector long before the attack.

“To me, my dad was a role model,” she said.

“He was a best friend.”

“He was my protector.”

She described a man devoted to family.

A father who took responsibility seriously.

A husband.

A brother.

An uncle.

A man who opposed hate.

“My dad was number one advocate for safety and keeping our communities safe,” she said.

“He stood against any form of hate.”

She also revealed how seriously he approached his work.

Family members said Abdullah worried constantly about protecting others.

Even small routines reflected that mindset.

He sometimes delayed meals while working because he worried stepping away could create vulnerability.

Friends said he knew his job involved risks.

But he embraced it.

“That was his dream job,” family friend Khalid Alexander told reporters.

Alexander said Abdullah felt pride in serving the Islamic Center community.

Protecting people mattered to him.

Those who knew Kaziha described similar devotion.

During a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening, his son, Yasser Kaziha, remembered a father who taught perseverance.

“He taught us to expect hardships and push through them,” he said.

Community members continue gathering to mourn.

Prayer services.

Vigils.

Memorial displays.

Flowers.

Messages.

The grief stretches beyond families directly affected.

Muslim residents across Southern California have expressed fear and heartbreak.

Imam Hassane acknowledged the center had experienced hostility before.

“We are used to receiving hate mail,” he said.

“Hate messages.”

“People driving by and cursing.”

“But such a horrible crime, we have never expected this.”

Federal investigators continue examining whether online radicalization contributed to the attack.

Mark Brimley, special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Diego office, said investigators believe extremist influences may have shaped events.

“These victims were there to help others be part of a community that came together in peace,” Brimley said.

“Instead, they were confronted by teenagers who appear to have been radicalized online.”

Authorities continue processing evidence.

Police have also announced heightened patrols near houses of worship throughout the county.

Chief Wahl said residents should expect visible law enforcement presence in coming days.

Meanwhile, support for victims’ families continues growing.

An online fundraiser established to support loved ones of the three men has raised millions.

But for grieving families, financial support cannot erase loss.

Three lives ended.

A community changed.

And one father of eight — remembered as protector, guardian and hero — left behind a final act that investigators believe saved countless others.

“He sacrificed his life,” Imam Hassane said quietly.

“And because of that, many families still have theirs.”