Three people, including a security guard, were killed after two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
According to police, the attackers, aged 17 and 18 , were later found dead inside a vehicle from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Officials said no police officers fired during the incident.
The shooting unfolded around 11:40 a.m. local time in San Diego’s Clairemont neighbourhood, triggering a massive law enforcement response. Officers from multiple agencies surrounded the mosque complex, while tactical teams searched the premises to ensure there were no additional threats.
FBI, Police Probe Possible Hate Crime
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators, alongside the FBI, are treating the attack as a hate crime. However, authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive behind the shooting.
Police revealed that nearly two hours before the attack, the mother of one of the suspects contacted authorities reporting that her son had left home carrying firearms and wearing camouflage clothing along with another teenager. She also informed officers that her son appeared suicidal.
Law enforcement officials said the information prompted an immediate threat assessment, though no direct threat had been communicated specifically toward the mosque or any religious institution.
Security Guard Credited With Preventing More Bloodshed
Among those killed was a mosque security guard, whom officials believe may have helped stop the attackers from causing greater casualties. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Children attending classes at the mosque’s educational facility, the Bright Horizon Academy, were safely evacuated and accounted for, authorities said.
“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” said Taha Hassane, describing the attack as “outrageous” and condemning violence targeting places of worship.
Separate Nearby Shooting Also Under Investigation
Police are also examining whether the suspects were connected to another shooting reported nearby around the same time. A landscaper working a few blocks away reported being fired upon, though he escaped without injuries.
Investigators believe the man’s helmet may have prevented serious harm.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine what led to the attack.
The shooting comes days before Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant festivals in Islam, and amid growing concerns over attacks targeting religious communities in the United States.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County and serves as a major religious and educational centre for the local Muslim community.
