Three people were killed after two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego in San Diego, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
According to police, the attack occurred on Monday morning when the suspects allegedly entered the mosque compound and began shooting, triggering a major emergency response involving dozens of law enforcement officers.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers responded within minutes after receiving reports of an active shooter at the Islamic center located on Eckstrom Avenue.
Authorities revealed that earlier in the day, the mother of one of the suspects had contacted police to report her son missing and possibly suicidal. She also informed investigators that firearms and a vehicle were missing from her home.
Police later discovered three victims dead outside the mosque building, including a security guard identified by community leaders as Amin Abdullah, who officials described as having acted heroically during the attack.
“It’s fair to say his actions saved lives,” Wahl told reporters.
The two suspects, aged 17 and 19, were later found dead inside a vehicle a few blocks from the mosque after reportedly taking their own lives. Authorities said the pair had been dressed in camouflage clothing.
Investigators also recovered a note containing what police described as hate-related rhetoric, though officials said there had been no known direct threat against the mosque before the attack.
The Islamic Center of San Diego, one of the largest mosques in the region, serves thousands of worshippers and also houses a school for children.
Religious leaders and civil rights groups strongly condemned the shooting, describing it as an attack on religious freedom and the Muslim community.
Council on American-Islamic Relations called for solidarity with the victims and urged authorities to fully investigate the incident as a hate crime.
Gavin Newsom also reacted to the tragedy, saying hate and violence have no place in California.
The shooting came days before the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha and the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
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