Topline: Two suspects died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds following an attack at a place of worship.
Published: May 19, 2026 9:00 am ET
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San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl at the press briefing (via AFP)
SAN DIEGO, CA — Police are investigating a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a hate crime after an attack left three people dead.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news briefing that officers are investigating the incident as a hate crime. He stated that hate rhetoric was involved in the shooting, which occurred at the mosque on May 19 at approximately 12:00 p.m.
The two suspected gunmen, ages 17 and 18, were found dead in a vehicle several blocks from the scene, according to KUSI. The teens appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Wahl said during the conference, as reported by The New York Times. Their identities have not been released.
Wahl told reporters that a suspect’s mother contacted police at 9:42 a.m. to report that her son and multiple weapons were missing. The mother expressed concern that her son was suicidal.
“There was no specific threat to any facility or place based on what we knew,” Wahl said. “There was generalized hate speech, mom believed her son was suicidal, a person that was suicidal is not going to take three weapons from a location.”
Three people were killed, one of the victims was a security guard. Wahl credited the guard with preventing further casualties.
“His actions were heroic,” Wahl said. “Undoubtedly he saved lives today.”
Authorities said no children were injured during the attack. Police established a reunification center at 4125 Hathaway Street. About an hour after the shooting, police stated that the threat had been neutralized.
The Islamic Center of San Diego announced on its website that it is closed until further notice.
“The Islamic Center of San Diego is heartbroken by the tragic shooting incident that occurred today on our campus,” the organization said in a statement. The mosque described the event as an “extremely painful and traumatic day” for the community.
The center plans to provide counseling services to those affected. Mosque leadership requested that the public and media avoid speculation while authorities complete the investigation.
“Places of worship are meant to be spaces of peace, prayer, reflection, and community,” the statement said. “Violence and hatred have no place in our society.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the violence in a statement.
“Today, our city was shaken by a violent act of hate at the Islamic Center of San Diego and my heart is with every person touched by this tragedy,” Gloria said. “No one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith and a place of learning.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or use online chat services. If you are outside the U.S., local resources are available through international crisis hotlines.
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San Diego Mosque Shooting Probed as Hate Crime
Two suspects died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds following an attack at a place of worship.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 19, 2026 9:00 am ET
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl at the press briefing (via AFP)
SAN DIEGO, CA — Police are investigating a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a hate crime after an attack left three people dead.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news briefing that officers are investigating the incident as a hate crime. He stated that hate rhetoric was involved in the shooting, which occurred at the mosque on May 19 at approximately 12:00 p.m.
The two suspected gunmen, ages 17 and 18, were found dead in a vehicle several blocks from the scene, according to KUSI. The teens appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Wahl said during the conference, as reported by The New York Times. Their identities have not been released.
Wahl told reporters that a suspect’s mother contacted police at 9:42 a.m. to report that her son and multiple weapons were missing. The mother expressed concern that her son was suicidal.
“There was no specific threat to any facility or place based on what we knew,” Wahl said. “There was generalized hate speech, mom believed her son was suicidal, a person that was suicidal is not going to take three weapons from a location.”
Three people were killed, one of the victims was a security guard. Wahl credited the guard with preventing further casualties.
“His actions were heroic,” Wahl said. “Undoubtedly he saved lives today.”
Authorities said no children were injured during the attack. Police established a reunification center at 4125 Hathaway Street. About an hour after the shooting, police stated that the threat had been neutralized.
The Islamic Center of San Diego announced on its website that it is closed until further notice.
“The Islamic Center of San Diego is heartbroken by the tragic shooting incident that occurred today on our campus,” the organization said in a statement. The mosque described the event as an “extremely painful and traumatic day” for the community.
The center plans to provide counseling services to those affected. Mosque leadership requested that the public and media avoid speculation while authorities complete the investigation.
“Places of worship are meant to be spaces of peace, prayer, reflection, and community,” the statement said. “Violence and hatred have no place in our society.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the violence in a statement.
“Today, our city was shaken by a violent act of hate at the Islamic Center of San Diego and my heart is with every person touched by this tragedy,” Gloria said. “No one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith and a place of learning.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
San Diego Mosque Shooting Probed as Hate Crime
Two suspects died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds following an attack at a place of worship.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 19, 2026 9:00 am ET
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl at the press briefing (via AFP)
SAN DIEGO, CA — Police are investigating a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a hate crime after an attack left three people dead.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news briefing that officers are investigating the incident as a hate crime. He stated that hate rhetoric was involved in the shooting, which occurred at the mosque on May 19 at approximately 12:00 p.m.
The two suspected gunmen, ages 17 and 18, were found dead in a vehicle several blocks from the scene, according to KUSI. The teens appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Wahl said during the conference, as reported by The New York Times. Their identities have not been released.
Wahl told reporters that a suspect’s mother contacted police at 9:42 a.m. to report that her son and multiple weapons were missing. The mother expressed concern that her son was suicidal.
“There was no specific threat to any facility or place based on what we knew,” Wahl said. “There was generalized hate speech, mom believed her son was suicidal, a person that was suicidal is not going to take three weapons from a location.”
Three people were killed, one of the victims was a security guard. Wahl credited the guard with preventing further casualties.
“His actions were heroic,” Wahl said. “Undoubtedly he saved lives today.”
Authorities said no children were injured during the attack. Police established a reunification center at 4125 Hathaway Street. About an hour after the shooting, police stated that the threat had been neutralized.
The Islamic Center of San Diego announced on its website that it is closed until further notice.
“The Islamic Center of San Diego is heartbroken by the tragic shooting incident that occurred today on our campus,” the organization said in a statement. The mosque described the event as an “extremely painful and traumatic day” for the community.
The center plans to provide counseling services to those affected. Mosque leadership requested that the public and media avoid speculation while authorities complete the investigation.
“Places of worship are meant to be spaces of peace, prayer, reflection, and community,” the statement said. “Violence and hatred have no place in our society.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the violence in a statement.
“Today, our city was shaken by a violent act of hate at the Islamic Center of San Diego and my heart is with every person touched by this tragedy,” Gloria said. “No one in our city should ever have to fear for their safety in a house of faith and a place of learning.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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