Three men, including a mosque security guard, were killed after two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego in California before the suspects were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said, as authorities launched a hate crime investigation into the attack.
The shooting occurred on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, triggering a massive police response and sending shockwaves through the local Muslim community. The mosque complex also houses the Al Rashid School, where children were present during the incident. Authorities confirmed that all children and staff were safely evacuated and unharmed.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said two teenage suspects opened fire outside the mosque, killing three adult men before fleeing the area. The suspects were later located inside a vehicle several blocks away, where investigators believe they died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Police identified one of the deceased victims as a security guard at the mosque who, according to investigators, played a critical role in limiting the scale of the attack.
Wahl said the guard “played a pivotal role” in preventing the incident from becoming “much worse,” though authorities did not immediately release details regarding the sequence of events or the identities of those killed.
Emergency calls reporting gunfire prompted a swift deployment of police, SWAT teams, and emergency personnel to the mosque located in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood.
Television footage showed heavily armed officers surrounding the Islamic Center while helicopters hovered overhead and nearby roads were sealed off. Children and adults were escorted from the premises as officers secured the complex.
Police later announced that the threat had been “neutralized” after searching the area and confirming that no additional suspects were believed to be involved.
Authorities said the investigation was being treated as a possible hate crime, though officials cautioned that the motive remained under examination and that more details would emerge after forensic and digital evidence review.
The attack drew immediate condemnation from religious and civil rights groups.
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, described the shooting as an attack on a place of worship and urged unity in the aftermath of the violence.
“It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” Hassane said during a press briefing, while stressing that all faith communities deserved protection and security.
The San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also condemned the shooting and emphasized that no community should fear violence while praying or studying.
“No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying,” CAIR representatives said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor had been briefed about the incident and praised emergency responders for acting quickly during the unfolding situation.
The shooting revived broader concerns regarding attacks targeting religious institutions in the United States and renewed debate about hate crimes and domestic extremism.
The Islamic Center of San Diego occupies a prominent position within the region’s Muslim community and regularly hosts worshippers, educational activities, and interfaith programs.
Investigators from federal and local agencies, including the FBI, joined the inquiry as authorities continued examining the suspects’ backgrounds, communications, and possible motives.
Police said further details regarding the identities of the victims and suspects would be released after family notifications and completion of preliminary investigations.
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