A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina has been charged in connection with a shooting at a mosque in San Diego, California, that left three people dead.
Sarah Lindsey Santiago was indicted by a grand jury in Forsyth County, North Carolina, on Monday on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy. Prosecutors accuse her of helping the attackers by recording and distributing a livestream of the May 18 incident.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said authorities decided to pursue state charges because North Carolina law allows a 17-year-old to be prosecuted as an adult. If convicted, Santiago could face life imprisonment without parole.
According to prosecutors, Santiago had agreed before the attack to livestream the shooting, distribute the footage online and later publish a manifesto written by the alleged attackers.
The shooting occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego while about 140 children were attending the mosque's school. Three men—security guard Amin Abdullah, 51, caretaker Mansour Kaziha, 78, and Nadir Awad, 57—were killed. Authorities said the victims were praised as heroes for helping prevent further loss of life.
The two suspected gunmen, Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, died by suicide in a vehicle while fleeing the scene, according to investigators.
Authorities also said the suspects had allegedly planned attacks against a Jewish temple and a predominantly African American high school.
Santiago was arrested the previous week. Prosecutors said investigators initially knew only that a woman in the Eastern Time Zone had watched the livestream, but later identified her as Santiago.
O’Neill described the suspects as being connected to an online “underground subculture” that promotes hatred and radicalises individuals toward violence.
Investigators said three people watched the livestream during the attack. Authorities have not disclosed whether the other two viewers have been identified or whether they will face charges.
Santiago’s legal representation was not immediately known.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: