San Diego Mosque Shooting Kills 3 Adults; Both Suspects Dead

San Diego police and federal authorities said three adults were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, with both suspects later found dead a short distance away.

Officials confirmed that all children and teachers at the mosque’s associated school are safe, and a reunification center has been established for families. The victims have not been publicly identified pending notification of their next of kin.

Police received the first call reporting an active shooter at the Islamic Center at 11:43 a.m. Officers arrived on scene within four minutes and immediately observed three deceased adult victims outside the building. They deployed an active shooter response into the mosque and adjacent school.

At roughly the same time, reports of active gunfire came in from a location a couple of blocks away. Officers responded to both scenes simultaneously. A landscaper working at the mosque was shot at but not struck.

At the 7100 block of Solar, and moments later at the 3800 block of Hatton, officers located a vehicle in the middle of the street containing both suspects, who were deceased.

A police spokesperson described the law enforcement response as the most dynamic they had seen in 28 years of policing, noting that every available officer in the county responded immediately, with many running toward the gunfire. The spokesperson expressed pride in the officers’ actions and relief at seeing children safely evacuated from the school.

Because the attack occurred at an Islamic Center, authorities are investigating it as a potential hate crime until evidence suggests otherwise. They are working closely with the FBI.

The FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office extended the bureau’s condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed the FBI is supporting local law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.