Three men were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California in United States on Monday in an attack that authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Police said the two suspects, believed to be teenagers, later died from what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle found a few blocks away from the mosque.
Among those killed was a security guard at the mosque, whom San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described as heroic. Officials said his actions likely prevented the incident from becoming even deadlier.
Also read | San Diego mosque shooting update: 3 men killed, 2 suspects dead; hate crime probe underway
The attack unfolded while children and community members were present at the Islamic center, one of the largest mosques in San Diego County, news agency Associated Press (AP) reported.
Top 10 updates
- Suspects believed to be teenagers
Police Chief Scott Wahl said both suspects are believed to be teenagers. Their identities have not yet been released by authorities.
2. Suspect’s mother alerted police before shooting
According to Wahl, the mother of one of the suspects contacted police nearly two hours before the attack to report that her son was missing. She feared he might be suicidal and later realised that several weapons, along with her vehicle, were also missing, a report by AP mentioned.
Police said the situation became more urgent after officers learned that the teenager was dressed in camouflage and was accompanied by another person. Investigators used multiple tools, including automated license plate readers, to track them down.
Wahl said reports of gunfire at the Islamic Center of San Diego started coming in during the search.
Also read | Islamic Center of San Diego shooting prompts lockdowns at several Jewish institutions; police provide major update
3. Shooting being investigated as hate crime
Police said there had been no direct threat made against the Islamic Center before the attack. However, Wahl confirmed that investigators found indications of “generalized hate rhetoric” linked to the case.
The police chief also said the mother of one suspect discovered a note left behind by her son. He did not reveal what was written in it but stated: “There was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved.”
4. Security guard hailed as hero
Authorities said the mosque’s security guard was among the three victims killed in the shooting.
Also read | San Diego shooting suspects: First details emerge as hate crime probe launched; 3 men confirmed dead
While officials continue reviewing the exact sequence of events, Wahl said, “it’s fair to say his actions were heroic.”
“Undoubtedly he saved lives today,” the police chief added. The identity of the guard has not yet been released.
5. Children safely evacuated from mosque
The Islamic Center’s Al Rashid School, which offers Arabic language, Islamic studies and Quran classes for children aged five and above, was operating at the time of the attack.
Television footage showed more than a dozen children holding hands as they were escorted out of the mosque parking area surrounded by police vehicles. Parents were later directed to a nearby reunification point.
“All of the kids are safe,” Wahl said emotionally during the press conference. “Our hearts go out to the families that are in this moment being notified of what has happened to their loved ones.”
6. Suspects found dead nearby
Police said officers responding to the mosque shooting also received reports of gunfire a few blocks away, where a landscaper was shot at but escaped without injury.
Authorities later found the suspects dead inside a vehicle stopped in the middle of a nearby road.
7. Mosque leader condemns attack
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, described the incident as “extremely outrageous to target a place of worship.”
He added that the mosque has long focused on strengthening interfaith relations and community outreach. Earlier on Monday, a group of non-Muslims had reportedly been visiting the mosque to learn more about Islam.
“All the places of worship in our beautiful city should always be protected,” Hassane said.
8. CAIR reacts to incident
Tazheen Nizam of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in San Diego condemned the shooting, saying: “no one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.”
Nizam added that the organisation was working to gather more information and urged people to keep the affected community in their prayers.
9. Governor’s office monitoring situation
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said he was being briefed on the shooting.
“We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities,” the governor’s office posted on X.
10. Mosque located in busy neighbourhood
The white mosque building is situated in a neighbourhood filled with homes, apartment complexes and strip malls, including several Middle Eastern restaurants and markets. The Islamic Center of San Diego is located about 9 miles north of downtown San Diego and is considered the largest mosque in the county, according to its website.
(With inputs from AP)
