Three people were killed after two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD) in California on Monday, in an incident authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
Police said the suspected attackers, aged 17 and 18, were later found dead in a car nearby with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Officials believe they died by suicide after the attack.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said, “This is every community’s worst nightmare,” adding that investigators are treating the case as a hate crime given the location of the attack.
Mother’s Warning Came Hours Before Attack
Investigators revealed that the mother of one suspect had alerted police nearly two hours before the shooting. She reportedly told officers her son was missing, suicidal, and had taken multiple firearms and a vehicle from home along with a companion.
Despite search efforts using tracking tools and patrol units, officers were still looking for the teens when the shooting at the mosque was reported.
Security Guard Praised for Heroic Action
Among the three victims was a security guard stationed at the mosque, who officials say may have prevented further casualties by confronting the attackers.
Chief Wahl said the guard’s actions were “heroic” and credited him with limiting the scale of the attack. Witnesses reported the guard was shot but initially managed to stand and move inside the building before succumbing to injuries.
Anti-Islamic Writing Found in Suspects’ Vehicle
Authorities said they recovered materials suggesting extremist ideology, including anti-Islamic writing found inside the suspect vehicle. Officials also reported that one firearm had “hate speech” written on it, and a suicide note was discovered.
The FBI has joined the investigation, with a federal tip line opened for additional information.
Mosque, Children, and Community Safe After Chaos
The attack occurred shortly before midday prayers at the largest mosque in San Diego County, which also includes a school and community center.
Officials confirmed that all children at the Islamic school were safely evacuated and reunited with families after the incident. A nearby landscaper was also reportedly fired upon in a separate encounter but survived, possibly due to protective gear.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said, “Hate has no home in San Diego,” adding that “an attack on any San Diegan is an attack on all.”
Islamophobia Concerns Rise in the US
The incident has intensified concerns about rising Islamophobia in the United States. Civil rights groups said the attack reflects a broader pattern of violence targeting Muslim communities and religious institutions.
Zohran Mamdani, responding to the shooting, said, “Islamophobia endangers Muslim communities across this country. We must confront it directly and stand together against the politics of fear and division.”
I am horrified by the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, an apparent act of anti-Muslim violence.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) May 18, 2026
Islamophobia endangers Muslim communities across this country. We must confront it directly and stand together against the politics of fear and division. My thoughts…
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the attack, saying anti-Muslim rhetoric has contributed to a climate where such violence is increasingly predictable.
Officials Call for Protection of Places of Worship
Authorities across multiple US cities, including Los Angeles and New York, announced increased security around mosques and Islamic centers as a precaution.
Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego said, “It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. People come here to pray, learn, and live in peace.”
Investigation Continues as Hate Crime Probe Expands
The FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate the motive behind the attack. Officials said there is currently no confirmed broader network involved, but they are examining online activity, writings, and communications linked to the suspects.
Authorities stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the public, but warned that the investigation remains active and evolving.
The shooting has renewed national debate over hate crimes, religious intolerance, and security at places of worship in the United States.
