'I saw bad stuff', says 9-year-old who huddled in closet during California mosque attack
A nine-year-old boy, Odai Shanah, experienced a traumatic shooting incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego. He and his classmates were forced to hide in a closet as gunfire erupted outside, leading to the deaths of three men affiliated with the center. The boy described the aftermath, including witnessing police response and the emotional impact of the event on him and his family.
- ▪Odai Shanah, a nine-year-old boy, huddled in a closet during a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
- ▪Three men affiliated with the center were killed by two teen suspects, who later took their own lives.
- ▪All students at the Bright Horizon Academy were accounted for and safe after the incident.
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'I saw bad stuff', says 9-year-old who huddled in closet during California mosque attackSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 19, 2026, 02:13 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 02:13 PMSAN DIEGO, May 18 - Nine-year-old Odai Shanah, whose mother emigrated from war-torn Gaza and settled in Southern California two decades ago, was among dozens of children forced to huddle in classrooms on Monday when deadly gunfire erupted at the mosque where they attend school.In an interview hours after the late-morning shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, Shanah recalled hearing a barrage of gunshots coming from outside the walls of the complex, which also houses an Islamic day school.Shanah said he and his classmates were quickly ushered into a closet where they crowded…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.