A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday left three adults and two teenage suspects dead, prompting a joint investigation by local police and federal authorities. Officials say the case is being reviewed as a possible hate crime based on early evidence recovered at the scene.
Police first received a call in the morning regarding a missing and possibly suicidal teenager whose family also reported missing firearms and a vehicle. A few hours later, officers were dispatched to reports of gunfire at the Islamic Center in the Clairemont area. Responding units found three adult victims outside the building. Authorities said all three were associated with the center.
A person working nearby reported being fired upon during the incident and survived. Officers searching the surrounding area later located a vehicle stopped in the roadway. Inside, they found two teenage suspects dead from what investigators described as self‑inflicted gunshot wounds.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators recovered a note and hate‑related messages connected to the suspects and at least one weapon. Officials have not released the wording of the materials, and the investigation is ongoing with assistance from the FBI.
The Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County, was cleared by officers conducting room‑by‑room searches. Students and staff at the on‑site school were safely evacuated, and several nearby campuses were placed on temporary lockdown as a precaution.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims or suspects, and additional details will be provided once families have been notified.