Boy, 9, recounts deadly shooting at San Diego mosque: We saw a bunch of bad stuff'

A nine-year-old boy described witnessing the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. He said he heard gunshots coming from outside the mosque complex and was among dozens of children forced to huddle in classrooms when the attack began. He reported that after being ushered into a closet and crowded together, additional shots rang out while children trembled in fear. After the shooting stopped, he said tactical police shouted for the door to be opened and children were escorted out. He said he saw people lying down and that he and other children walked out in a line with their hands up, with his legs shaking and his head and hands hurting. Police reported three adults affiliated with the center were killed, including a security guard, and two attackers died as well.

"He recounted being among dozens of children forced to huddle in classrooms when deadly gunfire erupted at the mosque. Shanah said he and his classmates were trembling in fear as 12 to 16 more shots rang out after they were quickly ushered into that closet and crowded there together. After the shooting stopped, the boy said, he and his companions heard members of a special tactical police team shouting from outside the classroom: OK, open up,' then they opened the door."

"But as they were escorted out of the building, we saw a bunch of bad stuff, people laying down and yeah, bad stuff, Shanah said. He acknowledged meaning that he and the other children had seen bodies as they walked out in a big line with their hands up. My legs were shaking and my hands and my head were like hurting a lot, he said. I felt like a rock."

"Police have said three adults affiliated with the Islamic Center were killed during the attack, including a security guard, who officials said played a crucial role in limiting the loss of life. Two attackers, aged 17 and 18, also died in the shooting, apparently taking their own lives in a stolen car they used to transport them to the site of the attack."

Read at www.theguardian.com