Deadly shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque leaves 3 dead
. . . police probe hate crime; Security Guard, one of the three men dead, hailed as hero
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
The attack unfolded around midday on Monday, triggering a massive police response after emergency calls reported an active shooter situation at the mosque complex, located about 15 kilometers north of downtown San Diego.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers arrived within four minutes of the first 911 call and found three adult men dead outside the mosque. One of the victims was identified as a security guard who police say played a critical role in preventing a far greater tragedy.
Wahl described the guard’s actions as “heroic,” saying he helped contain the attack to the front area of the mosque and “undoubtedly saved lives.”
Authorities confirmed that the two suspects, believed to be teenagers aged 17 and 19, fled the scene before being found dead inside a vehicle parked nearby. Police said both appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Investigators revealed that the mother of one of the suspects had contacted police earlier in the day to report her son missing. She also informed authorities that firearms and a vehicle were missing from her home and warned that her son was suicidal and possibly accompanied by a friend.
Police said one of the weapons used in the attack reportedly contained hate-related writings, while a note allegedly left behind by one of the suspects included references to racial pride. Authorities are therefore treating the case as a hate crime due to the mosque being specifically targeted, dw.com reports.
The Islamic Center houses the Al Rashid School, which offers Arabic language, Quran, and Islamic studies classes for children aged five and above. During the incident, more than a dozen children were escorted safely out of the complex while parents gathered nearby for reunification.
“All of the kids are safe,” Wahl confirmed during a press briefing.
The mosque is widely known for its outreach efforts and interfaith activities, including Ramadan community dinners and educational tours for non-Muslims.
Local resident Josie-Ana Edenshaw, who has attended the Islamic Center for several years, described the mosque as an open and welcoming place that regularly invites people from different faiths to learn about Islam and engage with the community.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the attack as “a violent act of hate,” stressing that violence targeting any religious or ethnic group would be met with the “full force” of the law.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed shock over the incident, declaring that “hate has no place in California” and assuring the Muslim community that the state stands with them.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations described the attack as a “horrifying act of violence,” emphasizing that no one should fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at a place of worship.
US President Donald Trump said he was being briefed on the shooting and called the incident “a terrible situation.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal and local law enforcement agencies continuing to examine the suspects’ motives and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
