Two teenage attackers fatally shot three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, in a suspected hate crime Monday morning before taking their own lives, police said. The assault occurred as officers were already investigating a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home with several firearms.
The shooting took place around 11:43 local time at what authorities describe as the largest mosque in San Diego County. Police found three victims with gunshot wounds outside the front of the building, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. Among the deceased was a security guard who officials said "played a pivotal role" in preventing the attack from being "much worse."
About two hours before the attack, one suspect's mother had called police to report her son had left home with several of her guns and her car, dressed in camouflage. Officers were still speaking with the mother when the shooting occurred, Wahl said at a news conference.
The suspects, aged 17 and 18, were found dead of self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle blocks from the mosque. A note attributed to one suspect contained "generalized hate rhetoric," though officials said it included no specific threat to the mosque or any other location. The attack came days before Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, one of the holiest seasons in Islam.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocacy groups and Democratic leaders called for stronger hate crime laws and greater attention to anti-Muslim violence following the shooting. Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, said at a news conference: "It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship" and emphasized that the facility "is a house of worship, not a battlefield."
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) officials called for a federal investigation into what they described as an apparent hate crime targeting Muslims during Ramadan. The organization has documented hundreds of anti-Muslim incidents annually in recent years.
California Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement saying he was "horrified by today's violent attack" at the center, where "families and children gather, and neighbors worship in peace and fellowship." He added that California "will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith."
Civil rights advocates argue that incidents like this underscore the need for comprehensive hate crime legislation that includes religious institutions as protected categories and provides resources for community protection.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative leaders expressed condolences to the victims' families while emphasizing broader issues including mental health intervention and second amendment protections. President Donald Trump, asked about the shooting at an unrelated White House event, called it a "terrible situation" and said he had received "early updates" but would be reviewing it.
Republican officials have generally supported increased funding for school resource officers and security grants for religious institutions rather than new legislation restricting firearm access. Some conservative commentators noted that the mother had reported concerns to police before the attack as evidence of systemic gaps in mental health response systems.
Faith-based organizations aligned with conservative causes have emphasized community support for affected congregations while cautioning against politicizing acts of violence before investigations are complete.
What the Numbers Show
The FBI has appealed to the public for any information that could help the investigation. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the three victims by name, though a person who knew the security guard told CBS he was a father-of-eight and described his actions as heroic.
According to available data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, hate crimes against Muslims peaked in 2015-2016 following heightened political rhetoric around those periods. The most recent full-year statistics show hundreds of anti-Muslim incidents reported annually across the United States.
The Islamic Center campus houses the Al Rashid School, offering religion and language courses to children. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown as the incident unfolded Monday morning. Aerial video showed children holding hands and being escorted through a parking lot as police responded.
The Bottom Line
Authorities continue investigating the motive in what they are treating as a suspected hate crime. Police Chief Wahl said it was "fair" to describe the security guard's response as heroic, noting he "undoubtedly saved lives today." The FBI is leading aspects of the investigation into potential federal hate crime charges.
The attack occurring days before Eid al-Adha has added significance for San Diego's Muslim community during one of its most sacred periods. Community leaders are expected to hold briefings as the investigation progresses. Investigators continue reviewing evidence including the note left by one suspect and any digital communications that may provide additional context.