Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning

September 7, 2026 - 03:29

The parents of Caleb Vazquez, the young man who opened fire at a San Diego mosque last month, are speaking out. They claim a mental health facility failed to act on an FBI warning about their son just weeks before the attack. Vazquez and another teenager killed three people at the Islamic Center before turning the guns on themselves.

In an interview, the parents said they had begged the facility to keep their son hospitalized. They believed he was a danger to himself and others. The FBI had reportedly contacted the facility with concerns about Vazquez's behavior and possible radicalization. The parents say the facility released him anyway, citing a lack of bed space and insurance issues.

The shooting has left the local Muslim community in shock. The three victims were beloved members of the congregation. The parents express deep sorrow for the families affected. They say they are not making excuses for their son's actions but want to prevent similar tragedies. They are calling for an investigation into the facility's decision-making process and for changes to how mental health and law enforcement share information. Their lawyer says the facility had a clear duty to act on the FBI's warning and failed to protect the public.