Before the first shot was fired at a San Diego mosque, police were already searching for two teenagers who would later be responsible for a deadly shooting that left three men dead. The search began after the mother of one of the teenagers reported her son as suicidal and missing, along with weapons and her vehicle, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
Sequence of Events
Two hours after the initial report, the shooting commenced at the Islamic Center of San Diego, located just blocks from the family home. The suspects, aged 17 and 18, were later found deceased in a vehicle from self-inflicted wounds a few blocks away. Authorities executed search warrants on Tuesday to understand the motive, finding evidence of "generalized hate rhetoric," leading to an investigation as a hate crime.
Victims and Heroism
Among the deceased was a security guard, identified by family friend Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq as Amin Abdullah, who had worked at the mosque for over a decade. Police believe his actions were heroic and likely prevented further casualties. "Undoubtedly he saved lives today," Chief Wahl stated. The Islamic Center described Abdullah as a courageous man who protected the community until his last moments.
The other two victims were also men who served the mosque community. The center posted on Facebook, "These were men who put themselves on the line for our masjid and our community. Men of courage, sacrifice, and faith."
Investigation and Community Response
Police responded within four minutes of the shooting call. The suspects had no specific threat against the center, but their actions were fueled by hate. The Islamic Center, the largest mosque in San Diego, remains closed indefinitely. Imam Taha Hassane condemned the attack as "extremely outrageous to target a place of worship," emphasizing the center's focus on interfaith relations.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also condemned the shooting. "No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school," said CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam. President Donald Trump called the incident a "terrible situation."
Aerial footage showed children being evacuated from the center's parking lot as police surrounded the area. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to the tragedy.
