San Diego mosque attack leaves three dead as investigators probe suspected hate crime
San Diego, California — Three people were killed and several others were injured when gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego in a shocking attack that authorities are investigating as a suspected hate crime, according to police and local officials.
The shooting unfolded on Monday at the mosque complex in San Diego’s Claremont neighborhood, a residential area north of downtown. Police said two teenage suspects were involved in the attack and were later found dead, with investigators believing their gunshot wounds were self-inflicted. Officials said there was no longer an active threat after law enforcement secured the scene.
The Islamic Center of San Diego, described by local reports as the largest mosque in the county, also includes a school for young children. Authorities said students and teachers were safely evacuated and that no children were harmed in the attack.
Emergency crews and heavily armed police units rushed to the site after reports of an active shooter. Witnesses described a tense and chaotic scene as officers sealed off surrounding streets and escorted worshippers, staff and children out of the building complex. Several injured people were taken to hospital, though officials had not immediately released a full count or details about their conditions.
San Diego police said the case is being investigated as a hate crime, citing information collected early in the inquiry that suggested hateful rhetoric may have played a role. Investigators cautioned that the motive has not yet been fully established and that they are continuing to examine evidence, witness accounts and the suspects’ backgrounds.
City leaders condemned the violence and expressed support for the Muslim community. San Diego officials said the attack represented an assault not only on a house of worship, but on the values of safety and religious freedom that residents expect in the city. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said he was being briefed on the shooting and thanked first responders for their response.
The attack has intensified concerns about the security of religious institutions across the United States, particularly at a time of heightened tensions around hate-fueled violence. Muslim advocacy groups said the shooting would likely deepen fear among worshippers and prompt mosques to review security procedures, including access controls, emergency drills and coordination with police.
Community leaders in San Diego and beyond said the victims were gathered in a place meant for prayer, education and refuge, making the attack especially devastating. Local Muslim organizations urged calm while asking the public to avoid speculation until investigators complete their work.
In the hours after the shooting, tributes and messages of solidarity began appearing online, with religious and civic leaders across the country denouncing the attack. The incident also renewed debate over gun violence and the recurring threat posed by hate crimes in public places of worship.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or suspects, and the investigation remains active. Police said they are working to determine exactly what led up to the shooting, whether the attackers acted alone and what role, if any, prior threats or extremist beliefs may have played.
For now, the mosque remains a crime scene as investigators piece together one of the most disturbing attacks on a house of worship in the city in recent years.
What we know so far:
- Three people were killed in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
- Police say two teenage suspects were involved and are believed to be dead from self-inflicted wounds.
- Authorities are treating the case as a suspected hate crime.
- Several people were injured and taken to hospital.
- Children and staff at the mosque’s school were safely evacuated.
Officials say more information will be released as the investigation develops.