Men console each other as they sit on a sidewalk, near the scene of a reported active shooter situation at the Islamic Center, in San Diego, California, US, May 18, 2026. [Photo/Agencies]
Three worshippers and two teenage suspects were killed on Monday in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that authorities are investigating as a possible hate-motivated attack, according to police and local media reports.
The violence erupted shortly before noon at the mosque in San Diego's Clairemont neighborhood, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response and alarming Muslim communities across California.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers arrived within four minutes after receiving reports of an active shooter at the Islamic center. Police found three adults fatally shot outside the mosque, including a security guard whom officials credited with helping prevent additional casualties.
"The security guard played a pivotal role in keeping this from being much worse," Wahl told reporters at a news conference.
