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San Diego mosque shooter’s twisted obsession with dressing up as notorious serial killers at school

Nypost · · 715 words · By Nina Joudeh
Criminal Psychology Gun Violence Prevention school_safety
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San Diego mosque shooter’s twisted obsession with dressing up as notorious serial killers at school See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 21
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

San Diego mosque shooter’s twisted obsession with dressing up as notorious serial killers at school See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The California Post on GoogleA teen accused in last week’s deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego had a twisted obsession with infamous mass killers and even showed up to school dressed like them before the attack.

Common ground

Caleb Vazquez, 18, allegedly alarmed classmates and staff at High Tech High in Chula Vista after dressing up as notorious murderers responsible for some of the world’s deadliest mass killings, according to court documents.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/us-news/san-diego-mosque-shooters-twisted-obsessio…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 21 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 11
check_circle Corroborated 7
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
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Claim 1: “After the order was served, Vazquez’s father, Marco Vazquez, reportedly told police he and his wife removed more than two dozen guns, ammunition, and knives from their home and placed them into storage.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 2: “The teen also reportedly came to class in 2024 dressed as Dexter, the fictional TV serial killer”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results specifically mention Vazquez dressing as the fictional character Dexter.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The knockout stage of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the second and final stage of the competition, following the group stage. Played from July 8 to 16, the knockout stage ended with the final, held a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_CONCACAF_Gold_Cup_knockou…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On May 1, 2023, in New York City, Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black homeless man, was killed after being put in a chokehold by Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old White United States Marine Corps veteran whil…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jordan_Neely
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — American Idol is an American talent reality television series which first aired in 2002. As of May 2026, there have been 24 seasons: the first 15 aired on FOX, while the next 9 were broadcast on ABC a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Idol_finalist…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 3: “Police later conducted a welfare check in January 2025 after Vazquez, who was 17 at the time, allegedly warned a friend not to come to school the next day.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the general context of the case is corroborated, the specific detail about the January 2025 welfare check and the warning to a friend is only supported by a single search result snippet mentioning the welfare check; other results for this claim are generic police definitions.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The police are a constituted body of people empowered by a state with the aim of enforcing the law and protecting the public order as well as the public itself. [1] .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Sual Municipal Police Station, under the supervision of PMAJ MACARIO G DULAWAN JR, OIC, continuously conducts intensified mobile patrol operations throughout various barangays, commercial...
https://www.facebook.com/sualinianpolice/videos/the-sual-mun…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sual Municipal Police Station Sual, Pangasinan postal code 2403. See Google profile, Phone and more for this business. Sual Municipal Police Station is working in Police and law enforcement, Public ad…
https://www.cybo.com/PH-biz/sual-municipal-police-station
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Claim 4: “Caleb Vazquez, 18, allegedly alarmed classmates and staff at High Tech High in Chula Vista after dressing up as notorious murderers responsible for some of the world’s deadliest mass killings, according to court documents.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Caleb Vazquez, 18, dressed as notorious murderers at High Tech High in Chula Vista, citing court documents.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On May 18, 2026, a shooting occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD), the largest mosque in San Diego, California, United States. Two teenage gunmen, identified as 17-year-old Cain Lee Clark…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Islamic_Center_of_San_Die…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The South Florida Detention Facility, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, is an immigration detention facility located at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport inside Big Cypress National Preserve in…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_Alcatraz
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Fernando Gabriel Mendoza V (born October 1, 2003) is an American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Mendoza
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 5: “Police documents also state Vazquez admitted to researching material on the dark web “so it couldn’t be traced back to him.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 6: “He reportedly admitted that he was becoming increasingly infatuated with mass shootings and World War II.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 7: ““Respondent made statements about idolizing Hitler and believing he had some redeeming qualities.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 8: “Marco Vazquez was later served with his own gun violence restraining order, but Superior Court Judge Enrique Camarena dismissed it two weeks later.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 9: ““He also admitted to dressing up similarly to the recent health care CEO shooter,” Det. Nicholas How wrote in the court filing, referring to Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm Detective Nicholas How wrote in a court filing that Vazquez admitted to dressing like Luigi Mangione.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jeffrey Edward Epstein (January 20, 1953 – August 10, 2019) was an American financier and child sex offender. He began his career as a math teacher at the Dalton School, before entering the banking an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Epstein
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On May 1, 2023, in New York City, Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black homeless man, was killed after being put in a chokehold by Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old White United States Marine Corps veteran whil…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jordan_Neely
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his intense leading man roles in film. His accolades include three Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a B…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Penn
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 10: “the assistant principal reportedly told police Vazquez had never been suspended.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 11: “In another incident, he allegedly shaved his head, said he looked like someone in a concentration camp, and pointed a banana at people “like a gun.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 12: “According to the assistant principal, Vazquez “was observed punching a tree and exhibiting irrational behavior.””
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the assistant principal's report of punching a tree or irrational behavior.
schedule
Claim 13: “The teen allegedly also told school officials he wanted to join the military because he “wants to experience the risk of potentially dying.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 14: “Vazquez and Cain Clark, 17, are accused of shooting three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego last Monday before dying in an apparent murder-suicide.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (CNN, Instagram news, web search) confirm Caleb Vazquez and Cain Clark shot three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego before dying in a murder-suicide.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 19, 2026 ... Both mosque shooters identified as 3 victims praised for heroic actions preventing more deaths. · Community comes together to honor victims of ...
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/18/us/live-news/san-diego-islami…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 6 days ago ... Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, are accused of shooting three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18 before dying by ...
https://www.facebook.com/tampabaynews/posts/caleb-vazquez-18…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 19, 2026 ... Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez Identified in Deadly Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting That Killed. newschannel2now. Cain Clark and Caleb ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYiiU3Hx5XG/
schedule
Claim 15: “He was later placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold, and police successfully obtained a temporary gun violence restraining order against him.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 16: “The day after the welfare check, school resource officers and an emergency psychiatric response team met with Vazquez, according to the documents.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 17: “Court documents show Vazquez had become obsessed with mass murderers, including Patrick Crusius, who slaughtered 23 people in a 2019 Walmart massacre in El Paso, and Norwegian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in twin gun and bomb attacks in 2011.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm court documents listed Patrick Crusius and Anders Behring Breivik as figures Vazquez was obsessed with.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Caleb Vazquez, 18, allegedly alarmed classmates and staff at High Tech High in Chula Vista after dressing up as notorious murderers responsible for some of the world’s deadliest mass killings, accordi…
https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/us-news/san-diego-mosque-shoot…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nicholas How wrote in a court document. The detective was referencing Luigi Mangione, who’s accused of killing the late UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The list of notorious killers the teen beca…
https://www.tv20detroit.com/us-news/crime/san-diego-mosque-g…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Anders Breivik's Dark Obsession - Inside The Mind of a Serial KillerBanijay Crime - Crime Documentary52K views • 1 year agoLivePlaylist ()Mix (50+). 1:15:15.Anders Behring Breivik. Norwegian terrorist…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4MznbNXCE
help
Claim 18: “When officers arrived at the family’s home, Vazquez’s father allegedly refused to let police speak to his son alone and would not allow officers to confirm whether firearms inside the home were properly secured.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the father's refusal to let police speak to the son or verify firearms.
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Claim 19: “A teen accused in last week’s deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego had a twisted obsession with infamous mass killers and even showed up to school dressed like them before the attack.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results and a Wikipedia entry confirm the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and Caleb Vazquez's obsession with mass killers and dressing like them at school.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On May 18, 2026, a shooting occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD), the largest mosque in San Diego, California, United States. Two teenage gunmen, identified as 17-year-old Cain Lee Clark…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Islamic_Center_of_San_Die…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Immigration detentions of U.S. citizens in the second Trump administration were caused by U.S. immigration enforcement actions by agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_detentions_of_U.S.…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Livestreamed crime is a phenomenon in which criminal acts are publicly livestreamed on social media platforms such as Twitch or Facebook Live. Due to the fact that livestreams are accessible instantan…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestreamed_crime
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 20: “A Chula Vista police detective detailed the incidents in a request for a gun violence restraining order filed last January.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that a Chula Vista police detective filed a gun violence restraining order in January detailing the behavior.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Brandon Vázquez Toledo (born October 14, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Austin FC and the United States national team.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Vázquez
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — High Tech High Chula Vista is a charter school in Chula Vista, California. The high school, being open-campus and project-based, opened in the fall of 2007 with approximately 150 9th-grade students. C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Tech_High_Chula_Vista
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following notable people were born in, residents of, attended an education institution in, or otherwise closely associated with the city of Chula Vista, California. Notation next to name is not wh…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Chula_Vist…
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 21: “The educator also said he was surprised when Vazquez claimed he was being bullied by a transgender student named Kai/Vivica because no student by those names attended the small campus.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.