Three Killed in Shooting at San Diego Mosque; Security Guard Credited With Limiting Casualties
Why It Matters
A fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego left three adult men dead on Monday and prompted immediate security increases at religious sites across the city. California law enforcement officials are investigating the attack as a hate crime, with anti-Islamic writings reportedly discovered in the suspects’ vehicle.
What Happened
The shooting was reported shortly before noon on Monday, May 18, at the Islamic Center of San Diego, described by the center as the largest mosque in San Diego County. Three adult men were killed, including a security guard posted at the facility. Police said the victims were found in front of the building.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised the security guard at a press briefing, saying his actions were “heroic” and that he “undoubtedly saved lives.” Wahl said the guard played a “pivotal role” in preventing the attack from becoming significantly worse.
Both suspects — a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old — were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle stopped in the middle of a nearby street. Police initially reported one suspect as 19 years old before correcting the age.
The attack did not remain confined to a single location. While officers were responding to the mosque, the department received additional calls reporting gunfire a few blocks away, where a landscaper was reportedly shot at. Wahl said the man may have been struck in a helmet, though that detail had not been fully confirmed. A separate person sustained a non-firearm injury while responding to the scene and was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital.
All children at the center were safely evacuated. Photos from the scene showed children being led away by law enforcement officers.
What Led Up to the Attack
Roughly two hours before the shooting, San Diego police received a call about a runaway juvenile — one of the suspects. His mother reported that her vehicle was missing along with several of her firearms. She also discovered a note, the contents of which police have not disclosed publicly.
The mother told police her son was accompanied by another individual and that both were dressed in camouflage. Officers began attempting to locate the vehicle and dispatched units to a local mall and a school connected to one of the teens. The shooting at the mosque was reported while that search was still underway.
Wahl said there was no specific advance threat made against the Islamic center, any school, or other facility, but noted that “the additional bits of information led us to believe that there was a bigger threat picture here that we needed to consider.” Anti-Islamic writings were found in the suspects’ car, according to reporting from news agencies with sources close to the investigation.
By the Numbers
- 3 adults killed, including one security guard
- 2 suspects dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, ages 17 and 18
- 1 person transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital with a non-firearm injury
- ~2 hours before the shooting, police received a call about a runaway juvenile connected to one of the suspects
- Multiple locations involved: the mosque, a nearby landscaping site, and a street where suspects were found
Community and Official Response
Taha Hassan, Imam and Director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, said at the press conference, “We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” and expressed solidarity with affected families and other places of worship across the city.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria told reporters the city immediately increased police patrols around religious sites — Muslim, Jewish, and others — and said that posture would likely be maintained for an extended period. Gloria called the security guard “an absolute hero.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ San Diego chapter condemned the attack in a statement, calling it a “horrifying act of violence” and saying no one should fear for their safety while attending prayers.
Zoom Out
The attack drew concern well beyond San Diego. New York City’s police department announced it was increasing officer deployments to mosques across the city as a precaution, while stating there was no known threat to New York houses of worship. Attacks on religious institutions — including synagogues, churches, and mosques — have drawn renewed federal scrutiny in recent years, with law enforcement agencies across the country reviewing security protocols for houses of worship. California has seen ongoing political tensions around public safety and community protection in 2026.
What’s Next
San Diego police are continuing to investigate the motive, with a hate crime designation currently in place. Authorities have not released the names of the victims or the suspects. The contents of the note found by the suspect’s mother remain undisclosed pending the investigation. Federal law enforcement agencies are expected to be involved given the hate crime classification, and officials indicated additional details would be released as the investigation progresses.