San Diego Mosque Shooting: Three Killed, Two Teenage Suspects Found Dead
Three men were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and two teenage suspects were later found dead in a car nearby with self-inflicted wounds, police have confirmed.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the incident is being investigated as a hate crime, with "definite hate rhetoric" involved. However, there was no specific threat made against the Islamic Center beforehand.FBI seeks evidence from the public
FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily is now speaking.
He says agents are processing evidence and working closely with local law enforcement.
He asks the public to send photos, videos or any evidence to the FBI as they continue their investigation.
How the Incident Unfolded
Police were first alerted around 09:42 local time when a mother reported her son missing. She discovered that several of her weapons and her vehicle were also gone. The mother believed her son was suicidal and told officers he had left with a companion. Both teens were dressed in camouflage.
Officers were with the mother — just a few blocks from the mosque — when reports of an active shooter came in at around 11:43 local time.
Upon arrival, police found three deceased victims outside the Islamic Center. One of them was a security guard, whom Chief Wahl described as "heroic" for his actions that "undoubtedly saved lives".
The two suspects, believed to be aged 17 and 19, were later found dead in a nearby vehicle from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The suspect’s mother also found a note containing "general hate speech", but police have not released further details.
About the Islamic Center of San Diego
- It is the largest mosque in San Diego County, located in the Clairemont area.
- The Al Rashid School on its campus was holding weekend classes (Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Qur’an) for children aged five and above at the time of the attack.
- Aerial footage showed children being evacuated through the parking lot, and nearby schools were placed on lockdown.
Reactions
CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), the largest Muslim advocacy group in the US, strongly condemned the attack:
“We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego... No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.”
Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center said:
“The centre is a house of worship, not a battlefield.” He added that Muslims and non-Muslims have always been welcome there, requested media to stop sharing pictures of victims out of respect for the families, and urged people to spread a culture of love and tolerance.
Witnesses reported hearing up to 30 gunshots from what sounded like a semi-automatic weapon. Police confirmed the suspect took three weapons from his mother’s home.
This live coverage has now ended. The Islamic Center remains a place of worship and community for many families in San Diego.
#The True Line 24