Three men were killed in a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, and two teenage suspects were found dead in a car nearby, authorities said. The San Diego Police Department is treating the incident as a possible hate crime and investigators are working to piece together the timeline and motive as the community reels.
The shooting unfolded at the Islamic Center of San Diego during daylight hours when multiple gunshots were reported by people in and around the building. First responders arrived quickly and located three adult men dead at the scene and two teenagers deceased in a vehicle a short distance away. Neighbors and congregants described the scene as chaotic and surreal, with emergency crews securing the area for a forensic sweep.
San Diego Police Department detectives have taken the lead on the case and have described the investigation as active and evolving. Officers collected evidence at the mosque and the nearby vehicle while canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance footage. Investigators said they are following multiple leads and will release more information as the inquiry develops.
Officials emphasized that the possibility the shooting was a hate crime is under serious consideration given the location and the victims’ presence at a religious center. Treating an attack on a place of worship as potentially motivated by bias changes the investigative posture, so detectives are examining communications, travel patterns and any prior threats. That work includes interviews with members of the mosque and people who were nearby at the time of the incident.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is a visible community hub and the violence has left congregants shaken and fearful for their sense of safety. Local worshippers spoke of grief and disbelief as leaders at the center began outreach to members and families of the victims. The mood in the neighborhood shifted immediately, with people arriving to offer support, leave flowers and try to make sense of what happened.
Community and civic leaders called for calm and asked anyone with information to come forward to investigators to help move the case forward. Law enforcement urged people with home security or dashcam footage from the area to preserve that material and share it with detectives. Police also set up a tip line and encouraged witnesses to report anything that might assist the investigation instead of circulating unverified rumors on social media.
Authorities often bring in specialized resources when bias motivation is suspected, and that can include state or federal partners depending on what evidence emerges. The focus now is on building a clear picture of how the shooting unfolded, determining whether the two teens acted alone or had outside contact, and establishing any connection between the victims and suspects beyond the tragic circumstances. Forensic teams continue to analyze ballistics and other physical traces from both the mosque and the vehicle.
As the probe continues, the community faces the practical work of supporting survivors and the families of the deceased while preserving the integrity of the investigation. Local organizations and faith leaders are expected to organize support and counseling for those affected, and the center will likely review security protocols in the weeks ahead. Police said more updates will follow as they verify details and complete interviews and forensic testing.
