Fundraiser for guard killed in San Diego mosque shooting tops $1M

A LaunchGood fundraiser for the security guard hailed as a hero for protecting a San Diego Islamic Center, after two alleged teen shooters opened fire near an elementary school, has raised nearly $2 million in under 24 hours.

Amin Abdullah, a Muslim security guard at the mosque, was shot and killed Monday during the mass shooting.

“Amin was the security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Police say his actions kept Monday’s attack from being far worse. Remember his legacy with us!,” the LaunchGood page set up by the Council on American-Islamic Relations along with the Islamic Center read.

The goal for Abdullah’s fundraiser was $2.2 million to go toward funeral and burial costs, as well as immediate household needs — rent, groceries, and utilities — now that the family has lost its primary earner.

Some reports suggest he was a devoted father of eight children, and part of the funds raised will go toward education and continuity of schooling, long-term financial stability for his spouse and children, and trauma counseling for the family he leaves behind.

“He didn’t run. He stood his ground,” the LaunchGood page said, memorializing the “martyr.”

“We do believe the security guard was able to help at least minimize the situation to the front area of the mosque,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl added, saying he “played a pivotal role in keeping this from being much worse.”

The shooting left two other people dead — Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, who were also members of the community. The three men were outside the Islamic Center of San Diego when the 17- and 18-year-old shooters approached the mosque at about 11:43 a.m. Monday, according to CAIR.

No students, teachers, or school staff were injured in the incident.

“Every time you came, he greeted you and welcomed you,” one community member told reporters. “Very energetic, very strong, very professional. You could tell he was willing to do his job greatly.”

Another fundraiser, organized as the Official ICSD Victim & Family Support Fund to “support individuals and families impacted by the tragic shooting incident at the ICSD masjid campus,” has also raised nearly $1 million of its $1 million goal.

“ICSD is managing this effort directly to help ensure transparency, accountability, and coordinated support for impacted families and community needs connected to this incident,” according to the page set up by the center. “We respectfully ask community members not to create unofficial fundraising campaigns and to rely only on official ICSD communication channels for verified donation information.”

The fund was set up to provide “direct assistance and recovery support for those affected during this extremely difficult time.”

“Hate has no place in California. To the San Diego Muslim community: we stand with you,” Gavin Newsom wrote in response to the shooting.

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