A DEADLY shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated as a possible hate crime after three people were killed before two teenage suspects were later found dead inside a nearby vehicle from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers responded to reports of an active gunman shortly before midday and discovered three victims outside the mosque upon arrival.
At roughly the same time, police also received reports of gunfire several blocks away, where the suspects allegedly opened fire at a landscaper before fleeing the scene.
Authorities later responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of a residential street nearby. Officers discovered two male teenagers, aged 16 and 18, dead inside the car from what investigators believe were self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Police have not yet released the identities of either the victims or the suspects.
One of those killed was identified as a security guard at the Islamic centre who, according to Wahl, played a “pivotal role” in preventing the attack from escalating further.
Investigators are treating the shooting as a suspected hate crime while federal and local authorities continue examining the motives behind the attack.
The Islamic Center of San Diego describes itself as the largest mosque in San Diego County and serves as a major religious, educational and community centre for Muslims across the region.
According to the organisation, the centre exists to “serve the religious needs of the San Diego Muslim population and work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation”.
The mosque complex also includes a school catering to children from pre-kindergarten to third grade, though police confirmed that no children were injured during the attack.
US President Donald Trump said he had received early briefings on the shooting and described the incident as a “terrible situation”.
“They’re giving a briefing on it… It’s a terrible situation. I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly,” Trump said.
Community and religious leaders strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on worshippers and the wider Muslim community.
Imam Taha Hassane said the targeting of a religious institution was deeply disturbing.
“It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” he said during a press conference.
“People come to the Islamic Center to pray, to celebrate, to learn. Not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also condemned the shooting, declaring that violence against religious communities would not be tolerated.
“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives,” he said in a social media statement.
“Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria pledged full support for the city’s Muslim community and promised increased protection for religious institutions amid heightened security concerns.
“I want to assure our Muslim community that we will do everything it takes to make sure that you can feel safe in this city, and no resource will be spared in making sure that our religious institutions and locations are protected in this sensitive time,” he said.
“But to reassert, as I always will: Hate has no place in the city of San Diego.” - May 19, 2026
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