San Diego mosque shooter's parents sue mental health clinic

The parents of Caleb Vazquez, an 18-year-old involved in the fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Park Mental Health. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Superior Court, alleges negligence and medical malpractice by the facility that was treating Vazquez for autism, social anxiety, severe depression, and psychotic episodes.

According to court documents, Vazquez had a history of mental health crises, including a hospital visit in January 2025 after expressing a desire to commit a school shooting. The filing further states that four days before the May 18 attack, the FBI notified Vazquez’s mother that her son was communicating on the dark web regarding school shootings and suicide.

The May 18 incident involved Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark, who killed a security guard and two community members at the mosque. Both teenagers were later found dead in a vehicle; investigators determined Clark shot Vazquez in the head before committing suicide.

Legal counsel for Park Mental Health has rejected the claims, stating the facility is not responsible for the movements of clients in voluntary treatment programs and that Vazquez was not under court-ordered confinement.