A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego left five people dead on Monday, including two teenage suspects who authorities believe took their own lives after killing three men outside the mosque.
Police vehicles crowd nearby streets after an “active shooter situation” was reported at the Islamic Center in the Clairemont community of San Diego, California, U.S. May 18, 2026 in a still image from aerial video. ABC Affiliate KGTV via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The attack unfolded shortly before noon at the largest mosque in San Diego County, prompting a massive law enforcement response and triggering a hate crime investigation involving local police and the FBI.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said two teenage males, aged 17 and 18, opened fire at the mosque complex at around 11:40 a.m. local time. Among those killed were a security guard and two other men affiliated with the Islamic Center.
Men console each other as they sit on a sidewalk, near the scene of a reported active shooter situation at the Islamic Center, in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake
The two suspects were later found dead inside a vehicle on a nearby street. Police said the teenagers appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Authorities stressed that officers did not fire any shots during the incident.
Warning Raised Before Attack
As reported in Reuters, according to investigators, the mother of one of the suspects contacted police roughly two hours before the shooting, reporting that her son had run away from home after taking three firearms she owned as well as her vehicle.
She told authorities that her son was believed to be suicidal and was travelling with another teenager. Both were reportedly dressed in camouflage clothing.
A girl walks with her family as she leaves school, at the scene of a shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Police immediately began searching for the pair and increased patrols at locations including a nearby shopping center and the teenager’s high school. However, officers said they had received no specific threat against the mosque or any other particular site before the shooting occurred.
Wahl said investigators were dealing with what he described as “generalized hate rhetoric and hate speech,” which, combined with reports of armed teenagers wearing camouflage, prompted a broader threat assessment.
As reported in Reuters, authorities declined to disclose details of a note reportedly discovered by the suspect’s mother.
Children at Mosque School Safe
Despite the violence, all children attending the mosque’s day school were safely accounted for and unharmed.
The Islamic Center of San Diego houses the Bright Horizon Academy, which provides Islamic education. Officials said the security guard who was killed may have helped prevent further casualties during the attack.
Women hug as they wait for the children to walk out of the mosque, at a collecting area, at the scene of a shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” said Taha Hassane, imam and director of the Islamic Center. “It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship.”
The shooting occurred just days before Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s most important religious holidays, and ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Large-Scale Police Response
Between 50 and 100 officers from agencies across the San Diego area responded to reports of an active shooter. Police said officers arrived at the scene within four minutes of the first emergency calls.
A parent passes under yellow tape cordoning an area, as he carries his child while they leave the mosque, at the scene of a shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Television footage showed heavily armed officers securing the mosque complex, while tactical units searched buildings and surrounding areas.
Investigators are also examining a separate incident in which shots were fired at a landscaper a few blocks away around the same time. The man was not injured, and police believe his helmet may have deflected a bullet. Authorities are treating the two incidents as connected.
Several hours after the attack, officials said many details surrounding the motive and sequence of events remained unclear.
