Police are investigating the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a hate crime.
SAN DIEGO, CA — Two teenage gunmen killed three men Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego before dying from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a nearby vehicle, police said.
The attack brought a large police response to the largest mosque in San Diego County and left worshippers, students and neighbors shaken. Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators are treating the shooting as a hate crime while they examine writings, weapons and the path the suspects took before reaching the mosque.
The shooting was reported at about 11:43 a.m. Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, a mosque and school complex that serves hundreds of families. Officers arrived within four minutes and found three adult men dead or mortally wounded, officials said. The suspects, ages 17 and 18, had fled by then. Police later found them dead in a vehicle a few blocks away. “This is every community’s worst nightmare,” Wahl said at a news conference. He said the first evidence points to hate as a motive, though investigators had not found a direct threat made to the mosque before the attack.
One of the men killed was identified by a family friend as Amin Abdullah, a longtime mosque security guard. Officials said Abdullah’s actions helped stop the attackers from killing more people. Police did not immediately release the names of the other two victims or the suspects. Authorities said the gunmen wore camouflage and opened fire outside the mosque before leaving the area. A landscaper nearby was also targeted but was not injured, police said. Children at Al Rashid School, which operates at the center, were moved to safety. No students were hurt.
Police said the search for at least one suspect began before the mosque attack. The mother of one teen contacted authorities earlier Monday and reported that her son had run away, was possibly suicidal and had taken her car and firearms, officials said. Officers began looking for the vehicle and used license plate readers as part of the search. Authorities also alerted nearby agencies and locations. The shooting occurred before officers found the teens. Wahl said investigators were still building a minute-by-minute timeline and reviewing where the weapons came from, how many shots were fired and whether anyone else knew of the plan.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is a major Muslim community hub in the Clairemont area and includes prayer space, school programs and community events. Monday’s shooting happened near the start of Dhul Hijjah, one of the most sacred months in Islam. Muslim leaders in San Diego condemned the attack and mourned the men who were killed. Civil rights groups also called for close scrutiny of the suspects’ writings and online activity. Officials said early evidence included broad hate-related language, but they had not announced a single target group beyond the mosque attack itself.
Federal, state and local investigators are involved in the case. Police said the FBI is assisting, and hate crime investigators are reviewing writings found with the suspects and markings or messages linked to at least one firearm. Because the suspects are dead, no criminal charges are expected against them. Investigators still must determine whether any weapons laws were broken before the attack, whether the guns were secured legally and whether any other person helped the teens. Officials said more information would be released after relatives of the victims are notified and evidence is processed.
The scene outside the mosque remained tense for hours as officers closed streets, searched the area and guided families away from the center. Some people embraced near the police lines while others waited for updates about relatives and students. Religious leaders described the victims as men who had come to pray or protect others. Wahl praised Abdullah, saying the security guard’s actions likely saved lives. Local officials said extra patrols would be added around some houses of worship as a precaution while investigators continue to review the attack.
The mosque remained closed as investigators processed the scene Monday night. Police said the next major update would depend on victim notifications, autopsy findings and the review of writings, weapons and video from the area.
Author note: Last updated Tuesday, May 19, 2026.