San Diego Islamic center attack kills three; two suspects found dead, FBI probes possible hate crime
Three killed in San Diego Islamic center attack; two suspects found dead in a car. FBI immediately probes possible hate crime as children were evacuated.
A shooting at a major Islamic center in San Diego left three people dead and prompted a large-scale law enforcement response, authorities said. The San Diego Police Department reported that two suspected attackers were later found dead in a vehicle in the center’s parking lot, and investigators believe the teens, aged 17 and 19, took their own lives. Police Chief Scott Wahl said the compound, which includes a mosque and an associated school, was the focus of an active response as children were escorted to safety.
Three fatalities and two suspected attackers found at scene
Police confirmed that three people were killed inside the complex, and that two suspects were located deceased inside a car on the property, officials said. Investigators are treating the circumstances in which the suspects died as apparent self-inflicted, while forensic teams continue to process the vehicle and surrounding area for evidence. Authorities cautioned that details remain preliminary as detectives piece together the sequence of events that led to the deaths.
Victims identified by police as a security guard and two staff members
Law enforcement sources told reporters that the deceased included a security guard employed at the center and two other staff members who worked at the facility. Officials did not immediately release the names of the victims pending family notification and next-of-kin procedures. Community leaders and the center’s administration were reported to be cooperating with investigators while grappling with the loss of staff members who served the mosque and school.
Rapid police deployment and containment of surrounding area
Officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of an active shooter at the complex, mounting a large perimeter with dozens of vehicles and personnel deployed across nearby streets and an adjoining highway. Police established a family reunification site to assist relatives arriving at the scene and to coordinate information for those with loved ones inside the facility. Officials said the containment was aimed at securing potential evidence and ensuring the safety of the surrounding neighborhood while emergency crews evacuated the building.
Helicopter footage shows children evacuated from the school on site
Local aerial footage broadcast by news outlets captured children being led from the building under escort as authorities moved to clear the school portion of the compound. Witnesses and law enforcement described calm, orderly evacuations once the perimeter was established, and emergency responders prioritized moving students to the reunification area. Authorities have not reported casualties among students, and the focus remains on accounting for all individuals who were in the facility at the time of the attack.
Witnesses reported dozens of shots heard; investigators comb the scene
A witness told CBS News that he heard roughly 30 gunshots before calling police, a claim that helped trigger the immediate and large-scale response from local law enforcement. Detectives are interviewing additional witnesses and reviewing video and other evidence to establish a timeline of the incident, including the point of entry, weapon types, and movements of the suspects. Crime-scene technicians are expected to conduct a comprehensive search of the compound and the suspects’ vehicle to gather ballistic, forensic and digital evidence.
Federal authorities join probe as police consider hate crime motive
Because the attack targeted a religious institution, San Diego police announced that they are treating the incident as a suspected hate crime pending further investigation, and they have requested assistance from the FBI. Federal agents have joined local investigators to provide resources and coordinate potential federal charges if evidence supports a broader bias or civil rights-related motive. Officials emphasized that determining motive is a central element of the investigation and that federal participation reflects the nature of the site and the seriousness of the deaths.
Investigators urged anyone with information, video, or other evidence related to the San Diego Islamic center attack to contact law enforcement as they continue to interview witnesses and analyze forensic results, and they asked the public to avoid the area to preserve scene integrity. Community organizations and local officials said support services would be made available to families and others affected while authorities work to provide answers about the sequence of events and the reasons behind the attack.
