Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men before turning their guns on themselves a few streets away. Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime.
The suspects, aged 17 and 18, were found dead inside a car parked in the middle of a nearby road. According to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl, both died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Among the victims was a security guard at the mosque. Authorities believe he played a key role in preventing the attack from being much worse. “It’s fair to say his actions were heroic. Undoubtedly, he saved lives today,” Wahl said.
A family friend identified the guard as Amin Abdullah, a familiar face at the mosque for over a decade. “He wanted to defend the innocent, so he decided to become a security guard,” said Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq.
The mother of one of the suspects had called police earlier, afraid that her son was suicidal and had fled. She reported that weapons were stolen from the house and her vehicle was missing. Police were actively searching for the teens when the shooting began.
Police responded within four minutes of receiving the call. As they arrived, more gunfire rang out a few blocks away, where a landscaper was shot but not injured. The gunmen were later found dead in their vehicle.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in San Diego County. It also houses the Al Rashid School, which teaches Arabic, Islamic studies, and the Quran to children aged five and up.
Imam Taha Hassane described the attack as “extremely outrageous to target a place of worship.” He said the center focuses on interfaith connections and community building.
President Donald Trump described the massacre as a “terrible situation.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the shooting, saying, “No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.”
The Muslim community is in mourning. America is shaken. And questions remain about what drove two teenagers to open fire at a place of worship.
