News Screen – At least three people died in a shooting incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego complex, Southern California, United States, Monday local time. Police said the case is being investigated as a suspected hate crime.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers found three victims dead outside the mosque complex shortly after receiving reports of an active shooter.
Not long after, police found the two alleged perpetrators, aged 18 and 17, dead in a vehicle several blocks from the scene. Both are believed to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
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“We are actively investigating this case as a hate crime. There is clearly an element of hateful rhetoric in this incident,” Wahl told reporters.
The police also revealed that one of the victims who died was a mosque security officer who was considered to have acted heroically in an effort to prevent more victims. “His actions were heroic and likely saved many lives,” Wahl said.
Apart from the victims at the mosque complex, the police received reports of other shootings in the area. A park worker was the target of gunfire, but was not injured.
According to the police, the mother of one of the suspects contacted the authorities about two hours before the incident. He reported that his son had suicidal intentions and was carrying a weapon along with his vehicle.
The San Diego Islamic Center Complex is known as one of the largest mosques in the Southern California area. After the situation was declared safe, the authorities lifted the regional lockdown status that had previously been imposed around the location.
The mosque’s imam, Taha Hassane, said all staff, teachers and children at the mosque school were safe. “We have never experienced a tragedy like this before. It is outrageous that places of worship are targeted,” he said.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, called the incident a terrible situation. Meanwhile, the Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, strongly condemned the incident and called it an act of anti-Muslim violence.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed his support for the Muslim community in San Diego. “There should be no fear when worshiping. Hate has no place in California,” Newsom wrote in a statement on social media.***
