A deadly attack unfolded Monday morning at the Islamic Center of San Diego — the county’s largest mosque — when two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Clairemont neighborhood facility, killing three men and triggering a massive law enforcement response before taking their own lives.
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San Diego Police received the first call of an active shooter at 11:43 a.m., and officers arrived on scene within four minutes, Police Chief Scott Wahl said at a press conference. They found three victims — all adult men — killed outside the Islamic Center. One of them was working as an on-site security guard.
Shortly after, police received calls about additional gunfire nearby. Officers located a landscaper who had been shot at but was not struck. The two suspects, later identified by the FBI as teenagers aged 17 and 19, were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on Hatton Street, a few blocks from the mosque.
CNN reported that one of the suspects took a firearm from their parents’ home and left a suicide note containing writings about racial pride. Hate speech was also found scrawled on one of the weapons, according to law enforcement sources.
Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Chief Wahl said. He added: “There’s going to be a tremendous amount of information and details that we’re going to try to sort and put this puzzle back together again.” Security camera footage from the mosque will be among the evidence reviewed.
“This is every community’s worst nightmare,” Wahl said. “There is no further threat. Both suspects in this case are deceased. All of the kids are safe.”
A school operating on the Islamic Center’s campus was evacuated, and an imam confirmed all teachers, students, and staff were safe. Five San Diego Unified schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
President Trump called the attack “a terrible situation” Monday evening, saying, “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.” The Los Angeles Police Department announced increased patrols at mosques and houses of worship citywide, while LA Mayor Karen Bass said she was “outraged and heartbroken by today’s shooting and murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego, especially as today marks the first day of Dhul Hijjah, a sacred and holy time for Muslims.
The FBI is assisting local law enforcement and has pledged all necessary resources to the investigation.
Three adult men, one of whom was a security guard, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, local police said.
Two suspects are also dead, police said. All children who were at the center are safe.https://t.co/L70fOeVDiN pic.twitter.com/LZbZMrXZkN
— ABC News (@ABC) May 18, 2026
