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A 17-year-old girl from North Carolina has been formally charged with murder by aiding and abetting, stemming from allegations that she livestreamed a fatal attack on a San Diego mosque and shared the assailants' manifesto.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill announced on Monday that the teenager, identified in court documents as Sarah L. Santiago, received an indictment on three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy, according to reports.
Despite being located across the country from the May 18 incident, Santiago is accused of recording and helping to disseminate the attackers’ live broadcast of the event, in addition to publishing their manifesto.
“She disseminated that information. And she published their manifesto,” O'Neill stated.
Details of the San Diego Attack
Authorities have identified Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, as the two individuals who entered the Islamic Center of San Diego armed with the intent to commit violence.
During the attack, three men—Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha—were killed after confronting the gunmen, an action credited with preventing further casualties. Police reported that the assailants subsequently died by suicide in a nearby vehicle.
Investigators indicated that the mosque was one target within a more extensive scheme of attacks.
“Their plan that day was to commit mass murders not only at the mosque, but to follow up at a local Jewish temple. And finally, at a predominantly African-American high school there in town,” O'Neill explained.
The indictment against Santiago alleges that prior to the attack, she agreed to record and distribute the gunmen’s livestream and to publish their manifesto. Furthermore, she is accused of purchasing a patch featuring a white-supremacist symbol for one of the attackers to wear during the shooting, as reported by The Associated Press.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Investigation
O’Neill clarified that Santiago could face charges in North Carolina even though she was not physically present in California during the incident.
“She didn't have to be in California, she's in our jurisdiction,” O'Neill affirmed. “And today, a grand jury indicted her and held her responsible for her actions leading up to that disastrous day in May.”
O’Neill also highlighted that under North Carolina law, a 17-year-old accused of such serious conduct can be prosecuted as an adult.
The broader investigation has been extensive, involving more than 100 interviews, the execution of over 30 search warrants, and the meticulous review of more than 4 million messages.
“Our investigation shows that the individual had multiple opportunities to come forward to law enforcement and alert us of these deliberate actions, and the failure to do so must have consequences,” commented FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis.
