A San Diego mosque shooting killed three men at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in California, United States, on Monday. Later, two teenage suspects died nearby, police said.
The attack unfolded around midday local time in the Clairemont area of San Diego, California’s second-largest city. Noon PDT on Monday was 12:00 a.m. Tuesday in Pakistan.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the suspects, aged 17 and 18, opened fire at the mosque before killing themselves, according to AP. Meanwhile, police are investigating the attack as a hate crime after finding evidence of “generalised hate rhetoric.”
One of the victims was identified as longtime security guard Amin Abdullah, AP reported. Community leaders said his actions helped prevent more deaths as worshippers and children were moved to safety.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ San Diego branch said children were inside a school at the mosque complex during the attack. The Islamic Centre houses Bright Horizon Academy.
Police on San Diego Mosque Shooting:
Both suspects are deceased… Officers arrived, arrived on scene and observed immediately what appeared to be deceased victims out in front.
At about the same time, we began to receive calls from just a couple blocks away that we had more… pic.twitter.com/MdJmnWtIsT
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 18, 2026Mayor Todd Gloria said police would increase security at houses of worship across San Diego after the attack, Fox News reported. Also, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said he had been briefed on the evolving situation.
CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam condemned the attack. She said no one should fear for their safety while praying or studying at an elementary school.
