San Diego Mosque Shooting Leaves Five Dead, Including Two Suspects
A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego resulted in five fatalities, including two teenage suspects who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime.
On May 18, 2026, a shooting occurred at the Islamic Center of San Diego, resulting in five fatalities, including two teenage suspects. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl reported that officers responded to calls about an active shooter at the mosque around 11:40 a.m. PT. Upon arrival, they found three adult males, including a security guard, deceased outside the mosque.
Shortly after, reports emerged of gunfire a few blocks away, where a landscaper was shot at but not injured. The two suspects, aged 17 and 19, were later found dead in a nearby vehicle from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Chief Wahl described the scene as "extremely chaotic" and indicated that the incident is being treated as a potential hate crime pending further investigation. The Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego County, had long-standing concerns about such an attack. The shooting occurred during Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed they had been briefed on the incident. Authorities are continuing to investigate the situation, and more updates are expected.