FBI probes suspected hate crime after three killed in San Diego mosque shooting
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirms the facility was targeted during Eid al-Adha preparations, with officials describing the deceased guard’s actions as heroic in preventing further casualties.
Three people have been killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday morning, an incident the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating as a suspected hate crime. The attack targeted the largest mosque in San Diego County, which also houses the Al Rashid School, just days before the Muslim community prepares for Eid al-Adha.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed at a news conference that the victims included a security guard at the centre, who officials stated heroically prevented further casualties. Two teenage suspects, aged 17 and 18, died from self-inflicted wounds a few blocks from the mosque after opening fire on the building and a nearby landscaper. The landscaper remained uninjured, though a bullet may have been deflected by his hard hat.
The FBI cited hate rhetoric found in a note left by one of the suspects’ mothers as evidence of a hate-motivated attack. While the note contained generalised hate speech, Wahl noted it did not contain specific threats to the mosque or any individual. Police were initially responding to a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home when the shooting occurred.
One suspect’s mother contacted police at 09:42 local time, reporting that her son had taken several guns and her car, and had left with a companion dressed in camouflage. A witness reported hearing up to 30 gunshots, sounding like a semi-automatic weapon, with police arriving within five to 10 minutes. Children were present at the scene, as the campus houses the Al Rashid School, but were escorted to safety while nearby schools were placed on lockdown.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack, stating the state "will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith". US President Donald Trump described the incident as a "terrible situation" and said he would look into it strongly. The FBI has asked the public for any information to assist with the investigation.
