A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina, identified as Sarah L. Santiago, faces serious charges in connection with the deadly San Diego mosque shooting. Santiago has been indicted for murder by aiding and abetting, as well as conspiracy for her alleged role in recording and distributing a livestream of the attack, and sharing the attackers’ manifesto.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill announced the indictment, stating Santiago’s involvement despite being across the country at the time of the incident. The charges include three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy.
The tragic event unfolded at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, where gunmen Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, entered the mosque armed with the intention to kill. They claimed the lives of three men, Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha, who bravely confronted the shooters.
Authorities revealed the shooters had plans for further attacks, targeting a local Jewish temple and a predominantly African-American high school. After the mosque shooting, the attackers died by suicide in a nearby vehicle, according to police.
Santiago’s alleged actions included not only recording the attack but also purchasing a patch bearing a white-supremacist symbol for one of the shooters. Despite her physical absence from California, Santiago is being held accountable under North Carolina law, which allows prosecution for such conduct.
The broader investigation has been extensive, involving more than 100 interviews, over 30 search warrants, and a review of over 4 million messages. FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis underscored Santiago’s multiple opportunities to inform law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of accountability.
Sophia Compton, Fox News Digital Writer, provides further details and insights into the case.