At least five people were killed in a shooting incident at a mosque in San Diego on Monday, triggering panic and a massive security response. Authorities said the dead include a security guard and two teenage suspects, while investigators are probing the possibility of the attack being linked to religious hatred.

According to police officials, the incident occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego, one of the largest mosques in the region. The complex also houses a school where children study Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran. Police said the two suspects were teenagers aged 17 and 19. Their bodies were found inside a vehicle near the mosque premises. Preliminary investigations suggest the two may have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Authorities, however, have not officially confirmed the motive behind the attack and said the investigation is still ongoing.

Security agencies are examining the case from a possible hate crime angle, though officials have refrained from sharing detailed findings at this stage. The incident has raised serious concerns within the Muslim community and renewed debate over gun violence and religiously motivated attacks in the United States. Videos circulating after the incident showed children being evacuated safely from the mosque complex by security personnel and police officers. More than a dozen children were seen holding hands while being escorted out of the building amid tight security. Several emergency vehicles, police teams and armed officers were deployed around the area soon after the shooting.

Imam Taha Hassane said that a special outreach event involving non-Muslim visitors was taking place at the mosque on Monday. The event was aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and helping people understand Islam better. He said all students and teachers at the school were safe and accounted for. However, as a precautionary measure, the mosque and school campus were shut down for the rest of the day. Community members were also advised to stay away from the area until security agencies completed their operation.

According to the mosque’s official information, the center regularly conducts community welfare programs and interfaith activities in addition to daily prayers and religious gatherings. The institution is considered an important cultural and religious hub for Muslims living in Southern California. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Muslim community. In a statement, he said California stands with Muslim families and worshippers during this difficult time.

Newsom described the attack as horrifying, especially because it targeted a place where families and children gather peacefully for worship and education. He added that there is “no place for hate in California” and confirmed that state emergency teams and the California Highway Patrol were coordinating closely with local authorities. The incident is the latest in a series of mass shootings reported in the United States this year. In April 2026, a man in Louisiana allegedly shot dead eight children in Shreveport, including seven of his own children. Earlier in February, three people were killed during a shooting at a high school hockey event in Rhode Island.

Gun violence continues to remain a major issue in the United States, where firearm ownership is protected under the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. The country’s gun culture dates back more than two centuries and allows civilians broad access to firearms. Critics argue that easy access to weapons has contributed to repeated incidents of mass shootings, while supporters continue to defend gun ownership rights. The San Diego mosque attack is expected to intensify discussions around hate crimes, religious intolerance and gun control laws in America. Federal and local agencies are continuing their investigation, while additional security has been deployed around religious institutions in the region.

San Diego mosque shooting kills five; two teen suspects found dead, hate crime probe opened

Five people, including a security guard, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday evening, authorities said, and two suspected shooters — both teenagers — were later found dead inside a vehicle near the mosque. Officials said the attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

What happened
According to San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officials, officers responded to multiple 911 calls shortly after 6:30 pm reporting shots fired at the Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County. First responders found several victims at the scene; five were pronounced dead, including a security guard who was stationed at the entrance. Police did not immediately release the victims’ names.

Two suspects were located inside a vehicle a short distance from the mosque. Investigators said the pair — identified as 17 and 19 years old in preliminary reports — were deceased when officers arrived. Initial indications suggest the suspects died by suicide after the attack, police said. Authorities cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and details remain subject to change.

Scene and response
Video from outside the centre showed dozens of worshippers and visitors evacuated from the compound, including more than a dozen children who were escorted to safety while holding hands. The mosque also houses a school where students learn Arabic, Islamic studies and the Quran; officials said staff and pupils were accounted for and safe.

Local law enforcement established a wide perimeter around the facility and closed nearby streets. The California Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services were coordinating with local authorities, Governor Gavin Newsom said, condemning the shooting and pledging state support for the Muslim community.

Possible motive under review
San Diego police said investigators are treating the attack as a potential hate crime, but added that they have not yet confirmed a motive. “We are exploring all leads and will share more information when appropriate,” an SDPD spokesperson said during an evening briefing. Sources familiar with the probe said investigators were reviewing social media and other digital evidence tied to the suspects.

Community leaders urged calm. Taha Hassane, the mosque’s imam, told reporters some non-Muslim visitors were at the centre on Monday as part of an outreach event. “Our community is grieving. We opened our doors for dialogue and today we suffered a terrible loss,” he said, according to a local broadcaster. Hassane confirmed the school’s students and staff were unharmed and that the mosque would be closed for the next few days as a precaution.

Federal agencies involved
The FBI has offered assistance and an agent was at the scene, a federal official said. Federal involvement is standard in cases potentially involving civil rights violations or interstate elements. Officials said the Bureau would support forensic analysis and digital-data recovery as needed.

Wider impact and reactions
The attack has reignited debate over gun violence and hate crime protections in the United States. President Donald Trump issued a brief statement calling the shooting “a terrible situation” and saying federal authorities would “be looking into it very strongly.” Civil rights advocates and Muslim organisations called for restrained, fact-based inquiries and urged officials to speed protections for vulnerable communities.

Recent string of shootings
The mosque shooting comes amid a spate of deadly incidents across the US in recent months, including a school shooting in Shreveport in April that killed eight children, and several other high-profile attacks earlier this year. Those incidents have intensified bipartisan calls for action on gun safety, though legislative progress remains stymied.

What’s next
Investigators said they expect to release more information after autopsies and ballistics tests are complete and once family notifications are made. The mosque’s leadership said it will announce memorial arrangements and counselling services for the community in the coming days.