Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning

On the eve of a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials had warned the parents of one of the shooters about concerning comments he made on the dark web regarding school shootings, according to new details in a recently filed lawsuit.

Caleb Vazquez, one of the two teenagers who carried out the attack, was living at Park Mental Health Treatment in San Diego and receiving treatment for depression and psychotic episodes. Despite signs that he posed an imminent threat, the lawsuit alleges that Park Mental Health did not intervene.

The mother of Caleb Vazquez claims she was contacted by the FBI on the evening of May 14 and promptly informed the facility. She also shared the FBI's warnings with Vazquez's therapist and a program director on May 15 and the following night. On May 18, the day of the shooting, staff at the facility informed her that her son was missing. Surveillance footage later showed Vazquez leaving the premises around 8 p.m. the night before.

Vazquez's parents were out looking for him on the morning of the shooting. He and another teenager killed three people at the mosque before taking their own lives. It remains unclear whether Vazquez was allowed to leave the facility the previous evening or if he violated facility rules in doing so.

Park Mental Health responded to the lawsuit, stating that neither the facility nor its employees are responsible for Vazquez's actions. The FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, citing agency policy.

The lawsuit comes on the same day that North Carolina authorities announced the indictment of a 17-year-old in connection with the shooting.