San Diego Mosque Shooting: Teens Kill 3 in Suspected Hate Crime
Two teens fatally shot three at a San Diego mosque in a suspected hate crime.
Top Summary
- What happened: Two teenage attackers fatally shot three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego before taking their own lives.
- Why it matters: The attack, suspected to be a hate crime, targeted a place of worship and has sparked outrage and fear in the community.
- What changes for people: Increased security measures are expected at places of worship, and heightened vigilance is urged within the community.
- Who is affected: The families of the deceased, the Muslim community in San Diego, and the wider community are affected by this tragedy.
Tragic Shooting at San Diego Mosque
Two teenage attackers, aged 17 and 18, fatally shot three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday morning. Police suspect the attack was a hate crime.
The suspects died of self-inflicted wounds in a vehicle blocks away from the mosque. The incident occurred as officers investigated a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home.
Heroic Security Guard Saves Lives
Among the deceased victims was a security guard at the center. He "played a pivotal role" in preventing the attack from being "much worse," according to officials.
"It's fair to say his actions were heroic. Undoubtedly he saved lives today,"
said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl at a news conference.
The security guard was a father-of-eight, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims.
Hate Crime Investigation Underway
Investigators believe the motive for the attack was a hate crime due to the mosque being the largest in San Diego County, and writings attributed to one suspect.
Police were first called to the mosque at 11:43 local time (18:43 GMT). They found three deceased victims outside the building.
"Observed what appeared to be three deceased victims out front,"
Wahl stated, adding there were no officers involved in firing their weapons.
Suspect's Mother Reported Missing Guns
About two hours before the attack, the mother of one suspect called police. She reported her son had left home with several of her guns and her car, accompanied by a companion, both dressed in camouflage.
A note left behind by the youth included "generalised hate rhetoric and hate speech," Wahl said, but contained no specific threat to the mosque.
Details of the Attack Unfold
While officers were speaking to the mother, reports came in of another shooting nearby. The suspects had opened fire from their car at a landscaper, who was uninjured.
Police arrived at the second scene and discovered the bodies of both suspects. Children were in class at the Al Rashid School on the mosque campus during the incident.
Aerial video showed children being escorted through a car park. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown. The FBI has appealed to the public for information.
Community Leaders Respond
A witness reported hearing up to 30 gunshots from a semi-automatic weapon.
"It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. The facility is a house of worship, not a battlefield,"
said Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego.
California Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement that he was "horrified by today's violent attack."
President Donald Trump called it a "terrible situation" and stated he was receiving updates and would be "looking at it very strongly."
What to Watch Next
The FBI's investigation continues to determine the full motive behind the attack. Community leaders are expected to announce further plans for support and healing in the coming days.