The imam of a San Diego mosque that was targeted in Monday's shooting told CBS News that his community has seen a rise in "Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment" in recent years.

"When leaders traffic in anti-Muslim rhetoric, violence follows," said one Democratic senator. "We must confront Islamophobia with the urgency it demands."

The mayor of the US city of San Diego on Monday strongly condemned Islamophobia after two teenage gunmen opened fire at a local mosquee.