San Diego shooting shows disturbing trend of shooters copying acts of violence
The recent shooting at a San Diego mosque highlights a troubling trend of hate-motivated extremists learning from one another. The shooters, aged 17 and 18, were influenced by online radicalization and expressed extreme hatred in a document they prepared before the attack. Experts warn that this pattern of violence is increasingly linked to digital spaces that promote nihilistic ideologies.
- ▪The San Diego mosque shooting resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a security guard and a mosque elder.
- ▪The shooters were reportedly radicalized online and expressed hatred towards various groups in a 75-page document.
- ▪Experts have noted a rise in nihilistic violent extremism, with the FBI investigating numerous individuals connected to these networks.
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People attend a vigil on Tuesday for the victims of the San Diego shooting. Photograph: John Gastaldo/EPAView image in fullscreenPeople attend a vigil on Tuesday for the victims of the San Diego shooting. Photograph: John Gastaldo/EPAGuns and liesSan Diego mosque shootingAnalysisSan Diego shooting shows disturbing trend of shooters copying acts of violenceAbené ClaytonExperts say hate-motivated extremists being radicalized online and adopting ideologies of shooters before themSupported byAbout this contentThu 21 May 2026 10.00 EDTShareThe killing of three men at a San Diego mosque on Monday is the latest example of a disturbing trend in recent decades: hate-motivated shooters learning from – and copying – each other in acts of violence meant to push the nation toward a race war and,…
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