Three people, including a mosque security guard described by police as heroic, were killed in a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, authorities said, in an incident now being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Law enforcement confirmed that two teenage suspects, aged 17 and 18, were later found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle located a short distance from the scene. One of the suspects had reportedly taken multiple firearms from a parent’s home before the attack. Officials identified the 17-year-old as Cain Clark through law enforcement sources.
Police said evidence recovered from the investigation suggests a hate-motivated attack. Officials reported that hate-related writing was found on at least one of the weapons used, along with a suicide note containing references to racial ideology and extremist views. Investigators also noted “generalized hate rhetoric” linked to the suspects.
Responding officers arrived at the mosque in the Clairemont area shortly after reports of an active shooter. The site, which also houses a school, was quickly secured, and authorities confirmed that all children inside were safely evacuated. A reunification point was established for families at a nearby address in San Diego.
