Three men died in a suspected hate-driven mosque attack before teen suspects took their own lives

A deadly shooting outside a San Diego mosque has left three men dead after two teenage suspects allegedly opened fire in what investigators believe may have been a hate crime. Police say the teenagers later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle found just blocks from the scene.

The violence erupted on Monday morning at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County. Officers responding to reports of gunfire discovered three victims with gunshot wounds outside the building. Authorities said none of the victims survived.

Among those killed was a security guard described by police as instrumental in stopping the attack from becoming even more devastating. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl praised the man’s actions, calling them heroic and saying he likely saved lives. People familiar with the victim told CBS he was a father of eight.

Investigators traced a chilling timeline leading up to the bloodshed.

Roughly two hours before the shooting, the mother of one of the teenage suspects contacted police. She reported that her son had left home in her car after taking several of her firearms. According to police, he was travelling with another teen, and both were dressed in camouflage clothing. Officers launched an investigation after concerns emerged that the teenager could be suicidal.

Police later said the suspect’s behaviour did not align with what they would normally expect in a suicidal case. A note allegedly left behind contained what authorities described as generalised hate rhetoric and hate speech, though officials said it did not include a direct threat against the mosque or any other specific target.

At around 11:43 local time, officers received the call that shifted the investigation into a full-scale emergency. They arrived at the mosque and found three bodies outside the building. Officers immediately moved inside and began active shooter procedures, clearing rooms and searching for potential threats.

The crisis widened moments later.

Police received another report involving gunfire from a moving vehicle targeting a landscaper nearby. The worker survived. Authorities said a bullet may have glanced off the individual’s hard hat, although investigators had not confirmed that detail.

When officers reached the second location, they found the two suspects — aged 17 and 18 — dead inside a vehicle from apparent self-inflicted wounds. Police said no officers discharged weapons during the operation.

Investigators have not confirmed a motive. However, authorities said they are treating the case as a suspected hate crime because of the location of the attack and writings linked to one of the suspects. The FBI has appealed for information from the public as the investigation continues.

Children were present on the mosque campus when the violence unfolded. The site includes the Al Rashid School, which provides religious and language education. Footage from the scene showed children holding hands while being escorted through the car park as police secured the area. Nearby schools also entered lockdown.

The attack struck just days before Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s holiest observances.

Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, condemned the shooting, saying it was outrageous to target a place of worship. “It is a house of worship, not a battlefield,” he said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was horrified by the attack, adding that the state would not tolerate violence or intimidation against faith communities. US President Donald Trump later called the incident a “terrible situation” and said officials were reviewing developments closely.