San Diego mosque shooting: Three killed in suspected hate crime

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San Diego mosque shooting latest: Three killed in suspected hate crime as Trump mourns ‘terrible situation’

Attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego came after mother of one of the suspects called police to warn her son had run away with a friend and multiple weapons, warning he could be suicidal

Three people were shot dead at a mosque in San Diego, California, Monday, with two teenage suspects found dead nearby shortly afterwards and police saying they are treating the incident as a possible hate crime.

The FBI is assisting the San Diego Police Department with its investigation into the tragedy and President Donald Trump has been briefed, describing it as a “terrible situation.”

The attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego took place after the mother of one of the suspects had called police to say her son had run away with a friend, taking multiple weapons with them and wearing camoflage clothing, warning they could be suicidal.

Officers were searching for the teens when reports came in of the shooting at the mosque compound.

Arriving at the scene, police found three people killed, one of whom was a security guard who had bravely attempted to intervene.

After receiving calls about further shots fired at a landscape gardener, police found the two suspects, 17 and 18, unresponsive in a parked car.

Investigators also found anti-Islamic writing in the vehicle and the words “hate speech” written on a weapon used in the attack, law enforcement told The New York Times.

Note could hold key to uncovering suspects' motive

One of the suspects in Monday’s shooting left a note that his mother later found, according to police.

“She found some note from him,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters. “What that note looks like, what that note says, I’m not going to disclose right now.”

The note discussed “racial pride,” CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Ahead of Monday’s shooting, the mother tipped off police earlier in the day about a “runaway juvenile,” police said. She was concerned the teen was suicidal, and said he left with a companion who was wearing camo clothing.

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 09:00

Recap: Three killed, two suspects found dead in shooting at San Diego mosque

If you’re just joining us, here’s the latest:

Three people were killed, one of whom was a security guard, in a gun attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday.

Two male teen suspects, aged 17 and 18, were also found dead in a parked car nearby shortly afterwards.

The mother of one of the suspects had tipped off police shortly before the shooting started by reporting that her son and a friend had runaway bearing multiple weapons and wearing camoflage clothing, warning he could be suicidal.

Officers arriving in the area responded to a shooting report at the mosque and found the three dead.

After receiving calls about further shots fired at a landscape gardener, police found the two suspects, 17 and 18, unresponsive in a parked car.

Investigators also reportedly found anti-Islamic writing in the vehicle and the words “hate speech” written on a weapon used in the attack.

The FBI is working with the San Diego Police Department on their investigation and President Donald Trump has called the incident a “terrible situation.”

The names of the victims and suspects have yet to be released.

Joe Sommerlad19 May 2026 08:30

What we know about the suspects in Monday's mosque shooting in San Diego

San Diego mosque shooting: 5 dead, including 2 teen suspects, as motive investigated

Police said the two suspects, age 17 and 18, were found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wounds near the mosque

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 07:59

Neighbor saw security guard hit by two shots: 'It was very brave'

A resident who lives near the Islamic Center of San Diego saw a mosque security guard get shot on Monday, one of three victims of the shooting.

Vanessa Chavez, 46, who lives across the street from the religious complex, told The New York Times she saw the guard, who was wearing a tactical vest, get hit by at least two gunshots. She said he fell then got up and went inside the center.

“Now seeing that he lost his life, it was very brave of him,” Chavez said.

Police have credited the guard with preventing further loss of life.

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 07:00

ICYMI: Fatal shooting at mosque rocks San Diego community

Police are trying to piece together a motive for a midday Monday shooting outside a mosque in San Diego that killed three victims and left two teenage suspects dead nearby from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

"It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” Imam Taha Hassane, director of the center, said during a press conference. “Our Islamic center is a place of worship. People come to the Islamic center to pray, to celebrate, to learn.”

The names of the suspects have not yet been released. Investigators found anti-Islamic writings inside the suspects’ car, two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News, and officials have disclosed they are investigating the shooting as a hate crime.

One of the suspects took a gun from his parents’ home and left a suicide note that included writings about racial pride, law enforcement officials told CNN. Those officials also said that hate speech was written on one of the firearms used in the attack.

The names of the victims have not been released either. Police have said one was a security guard at the center who “played a pivotal role” in preventing more deaths.

At least one killed during ‘active shooter’ at San Diego Islamic center: report

‘Please avoid the area. Updates to follow,’ police said

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 06:00

PHOTOS: Police continue to investigate tragic mosque shooting

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 05:00

What has Gavin Newsom said about Monday's shooting?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is one of the many state officials who expressed their condolences after Monday’s shooting outside a mosque in San Diego.

“Jennifer and I are horrified by today's violent attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where families and children gather, and neighbors worship in peace and fellowship,” Newsom said in a statement on X. “Today, this community space was shattered by gunfire.”

“California sends our deepest condolences to the families and communities impacted by today’s shooting,” he added. “Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives. Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”

The Democratic governor also accused conservative Fox News host Sean Hannity of downplaying the tragedy during his Monday-night broadcast, which touched on the shooting and implied without evidence the suspects might be undocumented immigrants.

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 04:36

DHS secretary blames government shutdown for delay in security grants to houses of worship

The partisan battle lines around Monday’s shooting may already be emerging.

Speaking with Fox News on Monday night, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin took aim at Democrats, blaming the government shutdown, which aimed to impose new conditions on the department amid the Trump immigration crackdown, of slowing the pace of security grants for houses of worship.

“We work together all the time to work with these religious establishments, and we have FEMA grants they can use to help protect themselves,” Mullin said. “Unfortunately for the last 76 days, we were shut down so we're just now getting those grants out.”

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 04:06

Mosque hit with shooting will be closed for time being

The Islamic Center of San Diego will be closed until further notice after Monday’s shooting, the mosque wrote on its website.

“We ask our community to keep the victims, their families, and all those affected in your prayers,” the center wrote in a statement. “This has been an extremely painful and traumatic day for our congregation, students, staff, and the broader San Diego community.”

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 03:36

Protester claims shooting is a 'direct result' of mayor's leadership

A protester cut in and began to berate San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as he was set to update the public about Monday’s shooting outside a mosque.

“This is a f***ing direct result of your leadership!” the heckler said. “Your leadership! Our Muslim brothers and sisters have been talking to you for how long?!”

The activist appeared to be criticizing the mayor’s stance on Israel and ICE.

In March, the city formally adopted a definition of antisemitism that, among other things, equates criticism of the state of Israel with antisemitism. The definition is in wide use by institutions and governments, though critics allege it stifles legitimate anti-Israel protest.

In January, activists barricaded themselves inside Gloria’s office protesting ICE.

City police do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, according to Gloria, who has criticized the immigration agency’s tactics under President Trump.

Josh Marcus19 May 2026 03:06