Heartbroken sons remember mosque security guard father who died protecting 140 children from racist gunmen

The sons of a San Diego mosque security guard who died shielding children from gunmen say their father spent his entire life protecting others — and in his final moments, he did it one last time.

Amin Abdullah, 51, was gunned down Monday after confronting two armed attackers at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where police say he helped save the lives of 140 terrified children by triggering a lockdown before he was killed.

Now, inside the family home filled with mourners and condolences, Abdullah’s grieving sons are clinging to the painful pride that their dad died a hero.

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“When I learned about it, I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t feel real,” said his eldest son, Muhammad Amin Abdullah, 28, his voice heavy with grief. “But when I learned that his actions saved all the kids … I felt comfort because I know that’s exactly how my dad would have wanted to go out — protecting people.”

Police say Abdullah exchanged gunfire with the attackers after they stormed toward the mosque school, where dozens of children were inside. Even after being wounded, investigators say he managed to radio in the warning that locked down the building and stopped the gunmen from reaching the classrooms.

Two other beloved community members — mosque elder Mansour Kaziha, 78, and neighbor Nadir Awad, 57 — were also killed in the attack, which authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

But for Abdullah’s sons, their father’s final act was no surprise.

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“He was on the front line trying to defend kids and innocent people,” said Khaled Abdullah, 24. “Calling him a hero is the least we can do.”

His younger brother, Jibreel, 21, fought back tears as he remembered the father he called his “best friend.”

“He was the kindest person you’d meet,” he said softly. “Ask anybody — nobody would have a bad thing to say about my dad. Best dad you could ask for.”

Friends and neighbors described Abdullah as a gentle, selfless man who dedicated years to protecting the mosque community. His children said he taught them to treat everyone with kindness, no matter who they were.

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“Live your life serving others,” Muhammad said. “Just be kind to everybody. The world would definitely be a better place if people lived like that.”

Their sister, Hawaa, echoed the same message through tears earlier this week, saying her father “stood against any form of hate.”

As funeral prayers are prepared for Thursday, the Abdullah family says they hope people remember not just how Amin died — but how he lived: as a father, protector and quiet hero who put others before himself until the very end.