A deadly shooting at a mosque in San Diego resulted in three fatalities, while both suspected attackers were also confirmed dead following the violent incident, according to initial reports.
San Diego Mosque Attack Ends with Three Victims and Two Suspects Dead.
Authorities in San Diego are investigating a deadly shooting at a local mosque complex as a possible hate crime after three people were killed during the attack. Police later discovered two teenage suspects dead inside a vehicle nearby, with investigators believing the deaths were caused by self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The incident took place on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, one of the largest mosques in the region. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after reports of an active shooter situation at the religious and community facility.
According to police officials, officers arrived within minutes of receiving emergency calls and found three victims dead outside the mosque complex. Law enforcement teams immediately entered the building and surrounding areas, including a nearby school connected to the centre, to search for possible threats and protect people inside.
Television footage captured from a news helicopter showed heavily armed officers surrounding the area as emergency crews secured the scene. Videos also showed groups of children being safely escorted out of the mosque parking lot while numerous police vehicles remained stationed nearby.
Scott Wahl, chief of the San Diego Police Department, told reporters that investigators are treating the incident as a suspected hate-related attack. He said authorities had identified language and statements linked to hateful rhetoric during the early stages of the investigation.
Police temporarily ordered nearby residents to remain indoors while officers searched the surrounding area and ensured there was no continuing danger. After conducting security sweeps, officials later announced that the threat had been contained and the situation was under control.
Chief Wahl explained that officers quickly activated active-shooter response procedures after arriving at the mosque. Specialised police units entered both the mosque and adjacent school buildings to search for victims, suspects, and additional threats. During the response, authorities also received reports of gunfire in another nearby location.
Investigators said a landscaper working close to the area was reportedly shot at during the incident, although the individual was not injured. Police are continuing to examine whether the nearby gunfire was directly connected to the mosque attack.
The Islamic Center of San Diego describes itself as the largest Islamic centre in San Diego County and serves as a major religious and community hub for local Muslim residents. Following the shooting, community members expressed shock and grief over the violence that unfolded at the place of worship.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspects or a possible motive as investigations continue. Detectives are reviewing evidence from the scene, including witness statements and digital material, to determine the full circumstances behind the attack.
Place of worship targeted
A few blocks from the centre, police found a vehicle in the middle of the street with the shooters dead inside.
“The suspects at this point appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. There were no officers involved in firing their weapons,” Wahl said.
He said a security guard at the Islamic centre was among the three victims killed and his response had helped prevent a deadlier attack.
“His actions were heroic and he undoubtedly saved lives today,” Wahl said.
The identities of the other two victims were not immediately clear.
Wahl said that the mother of one of the suspects had contacted police two hours before the attack and reported that her son was “suicidal” and that several weapons and her vehicle were missing.
Initially, police deployed to an area around a high school with which the suspect was associated, until they received a call of an active shooter at the Islamic Center.
The imam at the mosque, Taha Hassane, said that all the staff, teachers and children at the mosque’s school were safe.
“We have never experienced tragedy like this before. And at this moment all that I can say is, sending our prayers and standing in solidarity with all the families in our community here,” he said.
“It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” the imam added.
US President Donald Trump said the shooting was a “terrible situation,” while New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of a major American city, described the attack as “an apparent act of anti-Muslim violence.”
“Islamophobia endangers Muslim communities across this country,” he posted on X, adding that New York police are boosting deployments to mosques “out of an abundance of caution.”
Wahl, the police chief, said that given the location of the attack, investigators were “considering this a hate crime until it’s not.”
State Governor Gavin Newsom expressed horror at the attack, saying: “Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives.”
“Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith,” he said on X, adding, “To the San Diego Muslim community: California stands with you.”
