San Diego mosque shooting kills 3 as 2 teen suspects found dead

The San Diego mosque shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego claimed three lives on Monday morning. Police received the first call of an active shooter at 11:43 a.m. and officers arrived on scene within four minutes. Moreover, they found three adult men who had been killed outside the mosque. Furthermore, one of the three victims was working as an on-site security guard at the time of the attack.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described a chaotic series of events that unfolded rapidly across multiple crime scenes in the busy Clairemont neighborhood near Interstate 805. Additionally, officers simultaneously received calls of gunfire nearby, where they found a landscaper who had been shot at but not hit. Consequently, law enforcement had to manage multiple active scenes within minutes of the first call coming in.

Two teenage suspects found dead in a vehicle

Police tracked down two suspects shortly after the shooting. Both were found dead in a vehicle near the Islamic Center. Moreover, the FBI confirmed that both suspects were teenagers. Furthermore, Police Chief Wahl said they appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

The circumstances and motive behind the San Diego mosque shooting are still under active investigation. The FBI is assisting local law enforcement in the inquiry. Additionally, Chief Wahl stated that given the location of the attack at a mosque, authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime until evidence proves otherwise.

Wahl also called it the most dynamic and impressive law enforcement response he had seen in his 28 years of policing. Consequently, the rapid response likely prevented additional casualties at what is the largest mosque in San Diego County.

Schools locked down and area evacuated

The Islamic Center of San Diego includes the Al Rashid School, which offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies, and the Quran. Students at the school were evacuated immediately following the shooting. Moreover, no students were harmed during the attack. Furthermore, five San Diego Unified schools in the surrounding area were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.

A heavy police and SWAT presence gathered outside the Islamic Center shortly after noon. Additionally, fire and medic crews were on scene alongside law enforcement. Children from nearby schools were evacuated from the perimeter as officers secured the area. Consequently, the surrounding neighborhood experienced significant disruption throughout the afternoon.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on X that he was aware of the situation and was receiving ongoing updates from law enforcement. He confirmed that emergency personnel were actively working to protect the community and secure the scene. Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed he was being briefed and expressed gratitude to first responders working on the ground.

About the Islamic Center of San Diego

The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County. It sits in the Clairemont neighborhood near Interstate 805 and serves as a central hub for the Muslim community across the region. Moreover, the center’s mission extends beyond its own congregation. Furthermore, it actively works with organizations and people of all faiths on social causes and community outreach.

The mosque holds five daily prayers and runs programs designed to serve the broader San Diego community. Additionally, the Al Rashid School on the campus provides religious and language education for students in the area. Consequently, the attack struck not just a place of worship but a community institution with deep roots in the city’s broader social fabric.