Grand jury indicts 17-year-old in San Diego mosque attack

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A North Carolina grand jury indicted 17-year-old Sarah Lindsey Santiago as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy following a May 18 attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Santiago allegedly livestreamed the attack, disseminated the attackers' manifesto, and provided logistical support to 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez and 17-year-old Cain Clark, who killed three people before dying by suicide. The FBI stated that the case demonstrates the reach of law enforcement in prosecuting individuals who facilitate violence from remote locations, noting that Santiago also participated in planning attacks on a local synagogue and a public high school.

Consequences

Santiago faces the same potential penalties for aiding and abetting as if she had personally perpetrated the crimes under North Carolina law. The case establishes a precedent for aggressively pursuing remote actors who facilitate domestic terror through digital dissemination and logistical support.

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