Two teenagers fatally shot three men at a mosque in San Diego, California, in a suspected hate crime before taking their own lives, according to police.
The incident occurred on Monday morning while officers were investigating a report of a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home.
Police responded to a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, discovering three victims with gunshot wounds outside the building.
Shortly after, they received another report of shots fired from a vehicle at a landscaper. Officers later found the suspects, aged 17 and 18, dead from self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle a few blocks away from the mosque.
Among the deceased victims was a security guard who played a crucial role in preventing a worse outcome, officials stated.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the guard’s actions as heroic, emphasizing that he undoubtedly saved lives.
Authorities have not publicly identified the three victims, but a source revealed that the security guard was a father of eight.
While the motive remains unclear, investigators suspect a hate crime due to the mosque’s significance and writings attributed to one of the suspects.
Police first arrived at the mosque at 11:43 local time and observed three deceased victims outside.
Wahl noted that no officers discharged their weapons and there were no active gunmen present.
Just two hours prior, the mother of one suspect had reported to police that her son had left home with her firearms and car.
She mentioned that he left with a companion, both dressed in camouflage.
Wahl stated that the suspect’s behavior did not align with someone suicidal.
A note left by the youth contained general hate rhetoric but no specific threats to the mosque or any individual.
Investigators visited a local high school, where one of the suspects was a student, as well as a shopping mall linked to the car.
At the time of the shooting, officers were still interviewing the mother and were just a few blocks from the mosque.
Upon discovering the victims, officers quickly initiated active shooter protocols.
While clearing the building, they received reports of another shooting nearby.
The suspects had fired from their car at a landscaper, who fortunately was unharmed.
Wahl mentioned that a bullet might have deflected off the landscaper’s hard hat, although this is yet to be confirmed.
When police arrived at the second scene, they found both suspects deceased.
Children were in class during the incident at the Islamic Center, which includes the Al Rashid School for religious and language education.
Aerial footage showed children being escorted safely through the parking lot as police responded.
Nearby schools also went into lockdown.
The FBI has requested public assistance for information related to the investigation.
A witness reported hearing up to 30 gunshots, describing them as sounding like a semi-automatic weapon.
He noted hearing a dozen shots, a pause, then more shots, and stated that police arrived within five to ten minutes after he called 911.
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, expressed outrage at the targeting of a place of worship, reinforcing that it is a house of prayer, not a battlefield.
The Muslim community is currently preparing for Eid al-Adha, one of its holiest seasons.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his horror at the violent attack, emphasizing that the state will not tolerate acts of terror against communities of faith.
When asked about the shooting, US President Donald Trump described it as a terrible situation, noting that he would review the details closely.
