San Diego mosque shooting probed as hate crime after three killed
Authorities in California are treating the fatal shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego County as a suspected hate crime, following the deaths of three men and the suicide of two teenage suspects.
Police in San Diego have launched a formal investigation into a fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, classifying the incident as a suspected hate crime. The attack occurred on Monday morning, May 19, shortly before the Eid al-Adha holiday, targeting the largest mosque in San Diego County.
Two teenage gunmen, aged 17 and 18, opened fire at the complex, killing three men. The perpetrators fled the scene and took their own lives a few blocks away from the site of the shooting. Among the victims was a security guard at the Islamic centre, whose response is credited by authorities with preventing a deadlier attack.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that the investigation has been classified as a hate crime based on evidence of "generalised hate rhetoric" found in a note left by one suspect’s mother. Wahl noted that while this rhetoric was present, no specific threats had been made against the Islamic Centre prior to the attack.
The police chief also confirmed that no officers fired their weapons during the police response to the scene. The incident remains under active investigation, with authorities focusing on the motives behind the attack and the broader context of the suspects' planning.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is a significant community landmark, and the attack has drawn attention to security protocols at religious institutions. The classification of the event as a suspected hate crime reflects the initial findings of the police investigation, which are currently being pursued to determine the full extent of the suspects' intentions and potential accomplices.
