Three men were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, while two teenage suspects were later found dead in a nearby vehicle, police said.
The attack unfolded Monday morning outside the mosque, one of the largest Islamic centers in Southern California, triggering a massive law enforcement response and renewed concerns over violence targeting religious communities in the United States.
According to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, officers responded within minutes after reports of an active shooter near the mosque in the Clairemont neighborhood. When police arrived, they found three adult men fatally shot outside the building, including a security guard who officials say may have prevented even greater loss of life.
Authorities later discovered two teenage males, believed to be the shooters, dead inside a vehicle several blocks away from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Investigators are treating the incident as a possible hate crime after recovering what police described as “hate rhetoric” connected to the suspects. Officials said there had been no known direct threats against the mosque prior to the attack.
The shooting occurred just days before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a period when mosques typically see increased attendance from worshippers and families.
Community leaders described scenes of panic and grief as heavily armed officers surrounded the complex and evacuated civilians, including children attending a school located on mosque grounds. Authorities confirmed that all students and staff at the adjacent school were safely evacuated and unharmed.
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, condemned the violence and said the mosque has long focused on interfaith outreach and community engagement.
“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” he told reporters. “It is outrageous to target a place of worship.”
Police said the mother of one of the suspects had contacted authorities earlier in the day, reporting that her son was suicidal and had taken firearms and a vehicle from home. Investigators are now examining whether the warning could have helped prevent the attack.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials condemned the shooting, while federal agencies including the FBI joined the investigation.
The identities of the victims have not yet been fully released, though community members identified one of the dead as a longtime mosque security guard remembered for his bravery during the attack.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the full motive behind the shooting.
