Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
New Zealand Attack Note Left at Fire at California Mosque
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
March 25, 2019

Share

ESCONDIDO — A note referencing the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand was found at the scene of a possible arson fire at a Southern California mosque, police said Sunday.

Nobody was hurt, and members of the Islamic Center of Escondido were able to extinguish the small blaze before firefighters around 3:15 a.m., officials said.

The incident was being investigated as arson and a possible hate crime, said police in the city about 30 miles north of downtown San Diego.

A note was found in the parking lot referencing the shootings this month that killed 50 people at mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, police Lt. Chris Lick said. He did not elaborate about the contents of the note.

Investigators did not release information about a suspect.

The fire caused minor damage to the building’s exterior.

Seven people were inside the mosque at the time of the fire, police told the KNSD TV station. They were able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived on the scene, KNSD reported.

Civil Rights Group Stands With the Mosque

“There are people who sleep there overnight,” member Yusef Miller said. “They heard the sounds, they smelled some funny smells, and there was a letter saying something connecting to New Zealand at the same time. So, this made everybody especially on edge.”

“It is disturbing enough that some sick individual would attempt to burn a house of worship to the ground, but referencing the slayings in New Zealand is beyond the pale. While the majority of humanity has responded to the tragedy to draw closer to one another and refute hatred, a violent and hate-filled minority seeks further divisions.” — Dustin Craun, the head of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in San Diego

The Escondido mosque was created four years ago and serves several hundred people in the city of about 143,000 residents, Miller said.

He told KNSD that worshippers are undeterred.

“We won’t stop praying,” Miller said. “We won’t stop gathering.”

Dustin Craun, the head of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in San Diego, said his civil rights group stands with the mosque.

“It is disturbing enough that some sick individual would attempt to burn a house of worship to the ground, but referencing the slayings in New Zealand is beyond the pale,” he said in a statement. “While the majority of humanity has responded to the tragedy to draw closer to one another and refute hatred, a violent and hate-filled minority seeks further divisions.

“We are grateful that someone was inside the mosque and was able to act quickly to put the fire out. We ask anyone with information to come forward and contact the Escondido Police Department. We stand in solidarity with our community members who attend the Islamic Center of Escondido.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

DON'T MISS

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

DON'T MISS

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

DON'T MISS

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

DON'T MISS

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

DON'T MISS

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

UP NEXT

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

UP NEXT

Here’s Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day Across the Galaxy

UP NEXT

Military Parade on Trump’s Birthday Could Include More Than 6,500 Troops

UP NEXT

California Lawmakers Kill Bid to Force HOAs to Follow Open Meeting Laws

UP NEXT

California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

10 hours ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

10 hours ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

11 hours ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

11 hours ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

12 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

12 hours ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

12 hours ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

12 hours ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

12 hours ago

Yamamoto Allows Only 1 Hit in 6 Scoreless Innings and Betts Homers as Dodgers Hold Off Braves 2-1

12 hours ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

When the COVID pandemic hit, factories in China shut down and global shipping traffic slowed. Within a matter of a few weeks, products began...

5 hours ago

5 hours ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

8 hours ago

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

10 hours ago

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

10 hours ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

10 hours ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

11 hours ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

11 hours ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

12 hours ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend