Ask Onix
Three fatally shot at San Diego mosque in suspected hate crime
Two teenage assailants opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men before dying by suicide, police confirmed. Authorities are treating the attack as a potential hate crime.
Timeline of the attack
The violence erupted at 11:43 local time (18:43 GMT) when officers responded to reports of gunfire at the mosque, the largest in San Diego County. They found three victims with gunshot wounds outside the building. No officers discharged their weapons during the incident.
Approximately two hours earlier, the mother of one suspect had alerted police that her 17-year-old son had fled with a friend, taking several firearms and her vehicle. Both teens were dressed in camouflage, and the mother expressed concerns about their mental state.
Heroic intervention by security guard
Among the victims was a mosque security guard, described by officials as instrumental in preventing further casualties. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl called the guard's actions "heroic," stating, "Undoubtedly he saved lives today."
"It's fair to say his actions were heroic."
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl
A source close to the guard told CBS News he was a father of eight children.
Suspects found dead after second shooting
While officers were clearing the mosque, reports emerged of another shooting nearby. The suspects had fired at a landscaper from their vehicle, though the worker escaped unharmed, possibly due to a hard hat deflecting a bullet. Police later discovered the bodies of the 17- and 18-year-old suspects in the car, both dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
A note left by one suspect contained "generalized hate rhetoric," according to Wahl, though it did not target the mosque or any specific individual or location.
Community and official reactions
Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, condemned the attack during a news conference, calling it "extremely outrageous to target a place of worship."
"This is a house of worship, not a battlefield."
Imam Taha Hassane, Islamic Center of San Diego
The shooting occurred days before Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's holiest observances. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement expressing horror at the attack, vowing that the state "will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith."
President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, called it a "terrible situation" and pledged to review the details further.
Investigation and aftermath
The FBI has urged the public to share any information that could aid the investigation. A witness told CBS News he heard up to 30 gunshots, describing the weapon as sounding like a semi-automatic. Police responded within minutes of his 911 call.
Children attending the Al Rashid School, located on the mosque's campus, were evacuated during the incident. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown as authorities secured the area.
