He stood guard in front of the mosque for ten years.

I’ve read about the shooting in San Diego yesterday and the consensus is that he did his job, warned those inside, and prevented the attackers from going into the mosque. Three people were shot, all of them falling directly in front of the mosque. The two attackers withdrew to their car and shot themselves shortly after.

No-one was close enough to see much, but apparently one witness saw him on the ground trying to get back up. As many as thirty shots were fired “in rapid bursts” in front of the mosque.

Amin Abdullah was a steady, cheering human presence in front of the mosque for ten years or more. Nothing happened, until the last moment it did. Everyone who knew him loved him and assumes that he died a hero. With the presence of two others working there who were also shot, the narrative writes itself.

I’m not making any notes. No criticism of his actions– whatever he did, he was at least partially successful, and the fact that he died means he “gave the last full measure of devotion” to those he protected. I don’t care what religion he was: he was a true American.