California: 2 suspects and 3 victims dead after shooting at San Diego mosque

Shooting at San Diego Islamic Center Results in Multiple Fatalities

During a press conference on Monday, May 18, 2026, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall confirmed that five individuals, including two male suspects, lost their lives in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD).

The assailants, reported to be 17 and 19 years old, were discovered in a vehicle a few blocks away, having died from what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds, Wall indicated.

Among the deceased were three adult staff members of ICSD. According to Wall, these individuals included security guards who helped prevent the situation from worsening. He assured the public that the threat at the center has been neutralized, and that all remaining staff and children who were present during the incident are now safe.

Wall detailed that the first 911 call about an active shooter came in at 11:43 a.m., and police arrived within four minutes. Initially, they discovered three adult males believed to be dead outside the mosque, which led to a rapid deployment of 50 to 100 police officers inside the facility.

Reports of gunfire from a nearby location followed, where a landscaper was shot but fortunately was not injured. The chief praised the prompt response of the police and first responders, calling it “the most dynamic and impressive response” he had ever witnessed.

Wall mentioned that the nature of the shooting, occurring at an Islamic center, leads authorities to treat it as a hate crime “until proven otherwise.” He noted that there is a vast amount of information to sort through and indicated that another press conference would take place later in the day.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also expressed condolences to the Muslim community and the victims’ families at the press conference. He commended the authorities for their swift actions and vowed that a thorough investigation would occur.

Imam Taha Hassan, director of the Islamic Center, shared his shock and sadness over the tragedy, emphasizing that places of worship should always be safeguarded. He extended his prayers and solidarity to affected families and the community.