Five Dead in San Diego Mosque Shooting
Police are investigating a shooting at an Islamic center as a potential hate crime after three staff members and two suspects died.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 20, 2026
Three staff members and two suspects are dead following an active shooter incident at a local mosque Monday morning, according to police statements reported on by One America News. The statements were delivered by the San Diego Police Department’s Chief Scott Wahl during a press conference following the incident Monday afternoon.
The SDPD responded to emergency calls at the Islamic Center of San Diego at 11:43 a.m., with the first officers arriving on the scene within four minutes. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the bodies of three adult men outside the building. OAN reported that between 50 and 100 officers were subsequently deployed inside the center to secure the facility.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated during this conference that the threat was neutralized and all remaining staff and children inside the center were safe. Wahl credited a security guard, who was among the three staff members killed, with playing a pivotal role in preventing further escalation inside the building.
The two male suspects, ages 17 and 19, were located by authorities a few blocks away inside a vehicle. According to the network's coverage of the briefing, both individuals appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
During the initial response, police also received reports of gunfire a few blocks from the mosque, where a landscaper was shot at but escaped injury.
Because the incident occurred at a religious facility, authorities confirmed to reporters that they are investigating the shooting as a potential hate crime.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed support for the local Muslim community and the families of the victims in the press conference. Gloria said they would do everything necessary to investigate.
Taha Hassane, the imam and director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, stated that the community had never experienced a tragedy of this nature and called the targeting of a place of worship outrageous.