San Diego Mosque Shooting Leaves Five Dead, Including Two Suspects
A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego resulted in five deaths, including two teenage suspects, in an incident being investigated as a potential hate crime.
On May 18, 2026, a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including two teenage suspects. The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. at the mosque located in the Clairemont area. Upon arrival, officers discovered three deceased victims outside the center: security guard Amin Abdullah and community members Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.
The two suspects, aged 17 and 18, were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle nearby. Authorities are investigating the attack as a potential hate crime, citing evidence of the suspects' engagement in generalized hate rhetoric.
Security guard Amin Abdullah is being hailed for his heroic actions during the attack. He initiated a lockdown and engaged the attackers, potentially saving many lives. At the time of the shooting, approximately 140 children and teachers were present inside the center.
The Islamic Center of San Diego is the largest mosque in the city and serves as a significant religious and educational hub for the Muslim community. The attack has prompted increased security measures at religious institutions across the region.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as "extremely chaotic" and emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation. Community leaders and officials have expressed condolences to the victims' families and condemned the violence.