Live updates: 3 killed in shooting at San Diego mosque

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AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Police alerted to situation midday Monday 
• Authorities found three people, including a security guard, dead at the scene
• Two teen suspects were found dead in a car near the mosque
• Police treating the shooting as a hate crime because of location 

Below is the latest information on the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego: 

Skip next section Suspect left behind note, police chief says05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Suspect left behind note, police chief says

The mother of one of the suspects in Monday's shooting found a note left by the teenager, Scott Wahl said.

"What that note looks like, what that note says, I’m not going to disclose right now," Wahl said. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5Dx1XSkip next section Security guard 'saved lives,' police chief says05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Security guard 'saved lives,' police chief says

One of the three people who died at the Islamic Center was a security guard believed to have taken action that helped "minimize the situation," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

"We do believe the security guard was able to help at least minimize the situation to the front area of the mosque," he said.

The chief said officials were still working to establish whether or not the security guard engaged the suspects.

"At this point, I think it's fair to say his actions were heroic," Wahl said. "Undoubtedly, he saved lives today."

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwwjSkip next section Suspect's mother called police to report her son was missing earlier Monday05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Suspect's mother called police to report her son was missing earlier Monday

San Diego's police chief, Scott Wahl, said at a second press conference that the mother of one of the suspects had notified the police about her son who had gone missing earlier Monday morning.

She said her firearms and car were missing, and that her son was suicidal and likely with another friend.

"Our threat management unit began to take the tips and leads that we had and utilize the technology we have available to us," Wahl said.

The two suspects in the shooting, both teenagers, were later found dead in a car nearby.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwsWSkip next section Hate speech scrawled on one of weapons used in shooting, CNN reports05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Hate speech scrawled on one of weapons used in shooting, CNN reports

One of the weapons used in the shooting at a mosque in San Diego had hate speech scrawled on it, CNN reported, citing law enforcement officials.

According to the officials, one of the suspects also left a suicide note containing references to racial pride.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwoLSkip next section San Diego mosque shooting a 'terrible situation,' Trump says05/19/2026May 19, 2026

San Diego mosque shooting a 'terrible situation,' Trump says

US President Donald Trump said he's being kept informed about the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego.

"It's a terrible situation," Trump said during a healthcare event at the White House, adding that officials are "looking at it very strongly."

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwoKSkip next section Muslim advocacy group condemns San Diego mosque shooting05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Muslim advocacy group condemns San Diego mosque shooting

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the shooting was a "horrifying act of violence" that no one should ever have to experience at school or their house of worship.

“We strongly condemn this horrifying act of violence at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this attack," CAIR said in a statement. "No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school." 

The mosque plays an active role in building bridges within the local community, local imam Taha Hassane said during a press conference, adding that a group of non-Muslims were given a tour of the mosque as part of efforts to promote a better understanding of Islam.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwmoSkip next section Children at mosque are safe, police chief says05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Children at mosque are safe, police chief says

The children who were at the Islamic Center in San Diego during the shooting are safe, local police head Scott Wahl told local media.

"All of the kids are safe," Wahl said, sending condolences to the families that are "being notified of what has happened to their loved ones."

According to aerial TV footage, more than a dozen children were escorted outside the center's parking lot, while parents were directed to a nearby area to pick them up.

The Islamic Center's website says it offers programs for students as young as five years old.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwjnSkip next section Dozens of law enforcement officials secure area: What to know05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Dozens of law enforcement officials secure area: What to know

San Diego's police chief Scott Wahl said officers arrived within four minutes of a 911 call to find three victims dead outside the mosque. That promoted an active shooter response.

As officials were responding to the situation at the mosque at around 11:43 a.m. PT (18:43 GMT), authorities were also informed about gunfire a few blocks away.

A landscaper was fired at, but wasn't hit, Wahl said.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwoJSkip next section California governor 'horrified' by Islamic Center shooting05/19/2026May 19, 2026

California governor 'horrified' by Islamic Center shooting

California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted to the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, saying he was "horrified" by the "violent attack."

"Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives," the Democrat said in a statement.

"Hate has no place in California, and we will not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation against communities of faith."

Newsom ended the statement by turning to the state's Muslim community.

"California stands with you," he said.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwiHSkip next section Police treating shooting as a hate crime because of location05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Police treating shooting as a hate crime because of location

Police are treating the shooting incident at an Islamic Center in San Diego as a hate crime, San Diego's police chief, Scott Wahl, said at a press conference.

"Because of the Islamic Center location, we are considering this a hate crime until it’s not," Wahl said.

Three men were killed in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, one of whom was a security guard who played a "pivotal role" in preventing a much worse outcome, according to Wahl.

The two suspects, believed to be 17 and 19 years old, appeared to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Wahl said.

The pair were found dead in a car nearby.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwguSkip next section Two teenage suspects found dead in car nearby mosque, authorities sayPublished 05/19/2026Published May 19, 2026last updated 05/19/2026last updated May 19, 2026

Two teenage suspects found dead in car nearby mosque, authorities say

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told a press conference that there was "no further threat" to the public.

A special agent in charge of FBI San Diego said that the two suspects in the shooting were found dead inside a vehicle that was stopped in the middle of the road, near the scene.

Wahl said the two suspected shooters were teenagers, believed to be 17 and 19 years old, and died from what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

"Both suspects in this case are deceased," he said.

Wahl said that officers responding to the incident were informed of reports of gunfire several blocks away, where a landscaper was shot at but was uninjured.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwgQSkip next section Three adults killed in shooting, San Diego police chief says05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Three adults killed in shooting, San Diego police chief says

Authorities in San Diego said three people were killed in the shooting.

They added that one of the victims was a security guard of the Islamic Center. According to US media reports, the other two were employees.

"We have three confirmed adults that are deceased at the Islamic Center," San Diego Police Department Chief Scott Wahl said.

All three of the victims were males, Wahl said. He stressed that all children that were in the complex at the time of the incident are safe.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Dwh1Skip next section Children reportedly present, escorted out05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Children reportedly present, escorted out

The Islamic Center is considered the largest mosque in San Diego County. The organization says its mission is to not only serve the Muslim population but also "work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation." 

The mosque is located in a neighborhood of homes, apartments and strip malls with Middle Eastern restaurants and markets.

The mosque holds five daily prayers and includes the Al Rashid School, which offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran.

At the time of the shooting, aerial TV footage showed more than a dozen children, holding hands, being escorted out of the parking lot of the center. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5DwgPSkip next section Shots fired at San Diego's Islamic Center05/19/2026May 19, 2026

Shots fired at San Diego's Islamic Center

Roshni Majumdar Editor

Police in San Diego responded to an active shooter situation at the Islamic Center mosque in San Diego on Monday, where police believed people had been shot.

San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco said people had reported multiple shots at the scene, about 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown San Diego, California's second-most populous city.

Local media footage showed dozens of patrol cars on a highway bridge next to the Islamic Center, with police officers and their vehicles ⁠surrounding the grounds, as well as armed officers making their way through the complex.

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