(Image source from: Indiatimes.com)

Days after New Zealand mosque shootings that killed at least 50, a note making reference to the attack has been recovered during an alleged arson at a Southern California mosque. Police are currently investigating the case.

Police and firefighters were called to the Islamic Center of Escondido at 10:15 GMT (3:15 a.m. local time) on Sunday to douse a fire.

Subsequently, a note was found in the parking lot referencing the shootings, police Lt. Chris Lick said. However, he did not detailed about the contents of the note.

Though no serious damage was inflicted on the mosque, the fire had reportedly damaged the outside wall of the mosque. Seven people were believed to be inside the building at the time of fire. They were able to douse it with the help of the fire extinguishers even before the firefighters arrived at the station.

“They heard the sounds, they smelled some funny smells, and there was a letter saying something connecting to New Zealand at the same time. So, this made everybody especially on edge.'' a member Yusef Miller said.

However, the worshipers said that they were not deterred by these hate crimes and will continue to pray and gather.

The head of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in San Diego Dustin Craun said that it was disturbing that some sick individual would attempt to burn a worship place and make a reference to the deadly New Zealand mosque shootings.

“We are grateful that someone was inside the mosque and was able to act quickly to put the fire out. We ask anyone with information to come forward and contact the Escondido Police Department. We stand in solidarity with our community members who attend the Islamic Center of Escondido.'' Craun further added.

The investigators didn’t release any information about the suspect. The Escondido mosque was created four years ago and serves several hundred people in the city of about 143,000 residents.

Around 50 people were killed and more than 40 injured at two mosques in New Zealand where white supremacists opened fire on devotees. A 28-year-old Australian national has been arrested in relation to the terror attack who apparently did a Facebook live of the shooting.

Within days after the terror attack, New Zealand banned the sale of all “military-style” semi-automatics, assault rifles and high capacity magazines.

By Sowmya Sangam