Tragic Shooting At San Diego Mosque Leaves Three Dead, Suspects Take Their Own Lives/Image@ BBC
In a devastating incident on Monday morning, two teenage assailants fatally shot three men at the Islamic Centre of San Diego, California, in what authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime before taking their own lives.
The violence erupted as police were responding to a report about a possibly suicidal teenager who had fled from home.
Officers were dispatched to the mosque at approximately 11:43 AM local time (18:43 GMT) after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they discovered three victims with gunshot wounds outside the mosque.
Shortly thereafter, police received another alert regarding shots fired from a vehicle targeting a landscaper nearby.
The suspects, aged 17 and 18, were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a car just blocks away from the scene of the initial shooting.
Among the victims was a security guard employed at the mosque, who is being hailed as a hero for his actions that likely prevented further casualties.
San Diego Police Chief, Scott Wahl, praised the guard’s bravery, stating, “It’s fair to say his actions were heroic. Undoubtedly, he saved lives today.”
While authorities have yet to publicly identify the three victims, reports indicate that the security guard was a father of eight.
Investigators have not determined a clear motive for the attack but suspect it may be linked to hate due to the mosque’s significance as the largest in San Diego County and writings attributed to one of the suspects.
Chief Wahl noted that a note left behind by one of the teens contained “generalized hate rhetoric and hate speech,” though it did not specify threats against the mosque or any individuals.
Earlier that day, the mother of one of the suspects had contacted police to report her son had taken several firearms and her vehicle. She mentioned that he left with a friend and both were dressed in camouflage attire.
Police described the suspect’s behavior as inconsistent with someone who was truly suicidal.
At the time of the shooting, officers were still interviewing the mother just blocks away from the mosque. Upon discovering the victims outside, they quickly implemented active shooter protocols and began clearing rooms within the building. Concurrent reports of another shooting soon emerged.
The suspects had allegedly fired shots from their vehicle at a landscaper, who fortunately escaped injury. It remains unconfirmed whether a bullet deflected off the landscaper’s hard hat during this encounter.
When law enforcement arrived at the secondary scene, they found both suspects deceased inside their vehicle. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to this tragic occurrence.
As the incident unfolded on Monday, children were attending classes at the Islamic Centre, which is home to the Al Rashid School that provides religious and language education.
Aerial footage captured the scene, showing young students holding hands and being guided through a parking area while police responded to the emergency. Nearby educational institutions were also placed under lockdown.
The FBI has urged the public to share any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.
A witness, speaking to CBS, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots that sounded like they came from a “semi-automatic weapon.” He recounted hearing about a dozen shots initially, followed by a pause, and then another round of similar gunfire.
The retired individual, who was having lunch at home during the incident, stated he called 911, and police arrived within “five to 10 minutes.”
Director of the Islamic Centre of San Diego, Imam Taha Hassane, expressed outrage during a news conference, “It is utterly unacceptable to target a place of worship.” He emphasized that the facility “is a sanctuary for prayer, not a battlefield.”
The Muslim community is currently gearing up for one of its most sacred seasons and significant celebrations.
The attack occurred just days before Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, which honors the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim.
California Governor, Gavin Newsom, issued a statement expressing his horror at the violent incident at the centre, “where families and children gather, and neighbors worship in peace and fellowship.”
He asserted that the state “will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith.”
When asked about the shooting on Monday, US President Donald Trump referred to it as a “terrible situation,” adding, “I’ve received some initial updates, but we will be looking into it very thoroughly.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong