Teen gunmen attack San Diego mosque, resulting in multiple casualties and raising concerns over community safety.

Tragic Shooting at Islamic Center in San Diego Claims Three Lives

In a shocking act of violence, a shooting occurred outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026, resulting in the deaths of three men. The incident, described by San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl as a hate crime, has deeply shaken the local community.

Preliminary reports indicate that the two gunmen, aged 17 and 18, fatally shot three individuals before taking their own lives. The chaos unfolded shortly after the mother of one of the suspects called police to report that her son had run away with weapons and a vehicle. This call was made around 9:40 AM, prompting police to initiate a search.

As law enforcement attempted to locate the youths, gunfire erupted at the mosque, claiming the lives of a security guard and two other individuals frequented by the facility. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as chaotic, with gunshots ringing out while officers were already on-site investigating the earlier reported incident of the armed runaway.

By the time police arrived, the gunmen had taken their own lives in a vehicle parked nearby. Chief Wahl noted that though there was no specific threat against the Islamic Center prior to the attack, a subsequent investigation revealed evidence of “generalized hate rhetoric” associated with the suspects. The exact nature and context