Authorities say two teenage suspects opened fire at an Islamic center in San Diego, California, killing three men before taking their own lives. The killings are being investigated as a hate crime.
A tragic shooting shook the city of San Diego on Monday after gunfire erupted at the Islamic Center of San Diego, leaving multiple people dead and the local community in shock. Authorities confirmed that three victims were killed during the attack, while the two teenage suspects later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after fleeing the scene. Investigators are currently treating the incident as a possible hate crime due to anti-Islamic messages reportedly discovered in the suspects’ vehicle and on one of the firearms used in the attack.
Police say emergency calls began pouring in shortly before noon local time when reports described an active shooter situation at the mosque, one of the largest Islamic centers in San Diego County. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered several victims outside the building. Witnesses described moments of panic as worshippers and staff attempted to flee while police secured the area. According to authorities, one of the victims was working security at the mosque and may have helped prevent even greater loss of life.
Investigators later located the suspects a few blocks away inside a vehicle. Both teenagers had suffered self-inflicted gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead shortly afterward. Officials stated that one suspect had allegedly taken firearms from his parents’ home before carrying out the attack. A suicide note and hateful writings targeting Muslims were reportedly recovered during the investigation, strengthening suspicions that the shooting was motivated by religious hatred.
Authorities also revealed that the mother of one of the suspects had contacted police earlier in the day to report her son missing and possibly suicidal. She reportedly informed officers that several weapons and her vehicle were missing. Police began searching for the suspects using surveillance systems and automated license plate readers, but the shooting unfolded before they could be located.
The attack sent fear throughout the Muslim community in San Diego, especially because it occurred during one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar. Community leaders described the shooting as heartbreaking and terrifying, while emphasizing unity and resilience in the face of hatred. Religious leaders called for stronger protections for places of worship and urged the public not to allow violence to divide communities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials condemned the violence, stating that hate and extremism have no place in the state. The investigation remains active as police continue reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the suspects’ backgrounds to determine whether others may have known about the attack plans.
The shooting has once again reignited national discussions surrounding gun violence, hate crimes, and security at religious institutions across the United States. Vigils and memorial gatherings are already being planned in San Diego as residents mourn the victims and show solidarity with the Muslim community after one of the city’s deadliest recent acts of violence.
