One of the victims, Amin Abdullah, was a security guard at the center who "played a pivotal role in preventing this from being much worse," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

The complex is home to the Al Rashid school where crowds of young students were seen being evacuated on Monday following reports of the shooting.

Police said people reported multiple shots at the Islamic Center of San Diego, about 9 miles north of downtown San Diego.

The attack is being investigated by police as a possible hate crime.