San Diego gunman was 'idolizing Nazis and mass shooters,' prompting gun removal from home in 2025
Key takeaways
- Fifteen months before Caleb Liam Vazquez gunned down three men at the San Diego Islamic Center, Chula Vista police got a court order to remove his father’s numerous firearms.
- Vazquez, 18, was undergoing mental health treatment in the days before Monday’s deadly attack, having been previously involuntarily hospitalized by authorities.
- His parents, in the aftermath, said that he was caught up in a web of online hate, and the tragic events came after repeated voluntary trips to rehabilitation treatment centers.
Imam Taha Hassane, center, embraces another person as they attend a vigil, the day after a shooting, outside of the Islamic Center of San Diego on Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP) By Richard Winton Staff Writer Follow May 23, 2026 10:33 AM PT 1 6 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Fifteen months before Caleb Liam Vazquez gunned down three men at the San Diego Islamic Center, Chula Vista police got a court order to remove his father’s numerous firearms.
Vazquez, 18, was undergoing mental health treatment in the days before Monday’s deadly attack, having been previously involuntarily hospitalized by authorities.