A 17-year-old girl from Winston-Salem has been indicted on three counts of murder in connection with a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque. Forsyth County prosecutors say she livestreamed the attack and spread the gunmen’ writings.
The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested last week, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said at a Monday news conference. A grand jury indicted her on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy, he added.
Charges tied to livestream and manifesto
The girl is accused of murder by aiding and abetting. Under North Carolina law, that offense carries the same penalty as the underlying act, O’Neill said.
“The individual here, locally, was the person who was recording the livestream,” O’Neill said. “She disseminated that information, and she published their manifesto.”
Attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego
The shooting happened on May 18 at the Islamic Center of San Diego, police reported. Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18 entered the building before a security guard pushed them back outside.
The guard, Amin Abdullah, exchanged gunfire with the pair and initiated a lockdown that helped protect 140 children nearby, according to police. Clark and Vazquez killed Abdullah and two other men before taking their own lives in a vehicle outside.
Investigators say the attackers left behind writings filled with vitriol against many groups. They cited the gunman who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019, as a model, police added.
What happens next
Under North Carolina law, juveniles indicted for first-degree murder can be charged as adults. A transfer hearing would determine whether the case stays in juvenile court or moves to superior court. The standard process following a grand jury indictment involves arraignment and pretrial motions before a trial date is set.
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