Escondido mosque fire was an arson attack perpetrated against the Islamic Center of Escondido , California in March 2019 . Police found graffiti on the mosque 's driveway that referenced the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand , leading them to consider the fire a terrorist attack . For over a month no suspect was identified . Then , on April 27 , John T. Earnest entered the nearby Chabad of Poway synagogue and opened fire , killing one and injuring three others . An online posting from Earnest admitted responsibility for the mosque arson . No one was injured in the fire , and it was put out before extensive damage occurred
Christchurch mosque shootings
Christchurch mosque shootings
Escondido mosque fire